Jordan's King Abdullah II affirmed that his country's relationship with Israel is going through its worst situation today, and that the so-called Arab Spring was led by young people who were increasingly frustrated and wanted to seek opportunities.
He explained during a panel discussion organized by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in New York, that the problems "we face with Israel is bilateral, part of which relates to internal political affairs."
"I understand that, but not at the expense of something my father and the late Prime Minister Rabin struggled to accomplish as a symbol of hope and opportunity for Jordanians, Palestinians, Israelis and others."
Asked if the two-state solution was still in place, the Jordanian king said: "It is a very important question. Are we at the point of no return? What is the alternative? I think good women and men can restore momentum in the right direction."
He pointed out that the two-state solution is the only way forward, and represents the last chance, and that "with each passing year it becomes more complicated and things get more difficult for Palestinians and Israelis to move forward together."
Arab Spring
The Jordanian king also spoke in response to a question about the protests taking place in some countries in the Middle East, and whether this time is different from the wave of protests in the Arab world eight years ago.
He said that the so-called Arab Spring "was led by young people who were very frustrated and wanted opportunities, and I hope to remember this moment in history, which represents a milestone in Islamic and Arab history as a crossroads that we had to cross."
He talked about the similarity between what happened in the Arab world and what happened in Europe centuries ago, stressing that he believes that today we "stand at a similar intersection."
Regarding the treatment of the Arab monarchies with the protests witnessed by some countries in the region, the King said, according to a statement distributed by the Jordanian Royal Court, "Our societies are based on the tribal system. .
He added that these regimes are keen to protect and support everyone, "and this has helped them to maintain stability during a difficult time experienced by the region."