Jordan's King Abdullah says Israeli approach won't bring its people security

The king has been tough in his criticism of the Israeli operation in Gaza

King Abdullah on a visit to Berlin, on October 17, 2023. Getty

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Jordan's King Abdullah II has said that the "security solutions" Israel is pursuing will not result in safety for its citizens, amid mounting Palestinian casualties in Gaza.

In an article published by The Washington Post on Tuesday, the king repeated his call for an end to the war in Gaza to be followed by the pursuit of a two-state solution to the Palestinian problem.

"Israelis cannot continue their lives as usual, expecting security solutions alone to ensure their safety, while Palestinians live in misery and injustice," King Abdullah wrote.

The king has been highly critical of the Israeli operation in Gaza, launched nearly five weeks ago in response to a Hamas attack on southern Israel.

Jordan and Israel, US allies and two of the three top recipients of American aid, signed a peace treaty in 1994.

The two countries co-operate in security and have $150 million in bilateral trade.

A large part of Jordan's 10 million population are of Palestinian origin, descendants who fled Israel's creation in 1948, and the expansion of Israel during the 1967 Middle East war.

The latest from the Israel-Gaza war - in pictures

Palestinian children wounded in Israeli strikes amid the Israel-Gaza war wait for treatment at Nasser Hospital. Reuters

Wounded Palestinians are assisted out of an ambulance to receive treatment at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Reuters

Displaced Palestinian children gather for breakfast at a refugee camp in Rafah. AFP

Children inside a damaged building following strikes on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. AFP

People salvage belongings from a damaged building following strikes on Rafah. AFP

A girl is assisted as Palestinians search for casualties after an Israeli strike on a house, in Rafa in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters

A Palestinian woman is evacuated at the site of an Israeli strike on a house, in Rafah. Reuters

Police officers push back a counter protester who snatched a pro-Palestinian placard from a woman during a demonstration in solidarity with Gazans, London. Reuters

Israeli soldiers inside the Gaza Strip, amid the continuing ground operation. Reuters

An Israeli flag can be seen inside the Gaza Strip, from the Israeli side of the border. Reuters

A Palestinian woman evacuates her home, heading to the southern Gaza Strip. EPA

Thomas Hand, the father of Irish-Israeli Emily Hand, 8, who was announced dead following the October 7 attack, then later confirmed as one of the hostages held in Gaza, speaks from his hotel where he was evacuated to in Israel. Reuters

A residential building on fire following Israeli air strikes in Gaza city. Bloomberg

The rubble from destroyed residential buildings fills a street in Gaza city. Bloomberg

A Palestinian child drinks water as they evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip. EPA

Palestinians displaced from Gaza city head towards the south. Bloomberg

Palestinians flee to the southern Gaza Strip. AP

Palestinians flee to the southern Gaza Strip on Salah al-Din Street in Bureij, Gaza Strip. AP

A group picture ahead of an emergency meeting of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation in Riyadh. AFP

The king said the Israeli leadership is unwilling to make peace with the Palestinians on the basis of the two-state solution, and thus will be unable "to provide its people the security they need".

He predicted that if "the status quo continues … extremism, vengeance and persecution will deepen not only in the region but also around the world".

On Monday King Abdullah told officials that Israeli conduct in Gaza and the West Bank could spread the conflict beyond Palestine.