Jordan's King Abdullah II Accuses Israel of Blocking Palestinian Statehood at UN

King Abdullah II of Jordan delivered a strong critique of Israeli policy at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, accusing the Israeli government of actively preventing the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. He asserted that Israel's actions in Gaza, the West Bank, and Syria pose a threat to regional stability.

Addressing the situation in Gaza, King Abdullah II criticized Israel for prolonging the conflict and undermining U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to achieve peace. He claimed Israel continuously alters its demands, persists with attacks, and refuses to withdraw, leading to Palestinians being confined to a significantly reduced territory. The King also condemned the escalating violence by settlers, land seizures, settlement expansion, and forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank, stating that what was once a gradual process has dramatically accelerated.

"The reality on the ground is being reshaped: Gaza by destruction, the West Bank by de facto annexation," King Abdullah II stated, arguing that the ultimate goal in both cases is to make a viable Palestinian state impossible. He attributed the current war to decades of international community focus on managing the conflict rather than resolving it.

Furthermore, the Jordanian monarch denounced Israel's military presence and activities in southern Syria, warning that Israel's "expansionist appetite" now constitutes a regional threat. He characterized the situation in Syria as an "warning that the international community chooses not to see."

King Abdullah II concluded by asserting that Jordan would respond to any direct threats to its interests, specifically mentioning its northern border and water security, stating, "Jordan will not look away." His remarks come as a water supply agreement with Israel, set to double Jordan's water quantities, expired at the end of 2025 without renewal.