His Majesty King Abdullah’s talks with Hamas politburo chief, Khaled Mishaal, in Amman came to reinforce Jordan’s commitment to help achieve Palestinian reconciliation and unity of ranks for the purpose of arriving at the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli crisis.

The King also confirmed his unequivocal support for the Palestinian Authority under the leadership of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and invited Hamas to forge a united front with the PA, important if the Palestinians wish to acquire clout in facing Israel.

Mishaal confirmed his movement’s respect for Jordan’s territorial integrity, reaffirming the fact that Hamas has no designs whatsoever on the independence, security and stability of the Kingdom. Hamas, Mishaal said, will continue to combat with all its might and determination the notion that Jordan could become the alternative homeland for the Palestinians or that the Palestinian problem can be solved at the expense of Jordan and its people.

Palestinians, Mishaal said, will not waiver from the faithful and unequivocal support for this historical and political reality.

These assurances should lay to rest any perception that Hamas aims to undermine the independence and territorial integrity of Jordan even while Palestine and Jordan are partners in the search for a durable and just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on full Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

The Hamas leader also paid tribute to the Jordanian role in protecting the holy sites in East Jerusalem and the Monarch’s personal involvement in this endeavour.

East Jerusalem and its religious places are of special concern for Jordan and that is why there is a specific reference to the Jordanian role in the Jordan-Israel peace treaty.

By receiving the Hamas leader the King demonstrated that Jordan has an open-door policy vis-à-vis the Palestinians in a bid to serve the overriding objective of serving the Palestinian cause in the most productive and constructive manner.

This, no doubt, is appreciated and respected by all sides.