By Laith Al-Janaidi and Mohammad Sio
AMMAN, Jordan (AA)— Jordanian King Abdullah II and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Monday discussed ways to bolster bilateral relations and tackle pressing regional issues, the Jordanian Royal Court announced.
The discussions, which took place during Subianto's first official visit to Jordan since taking office, were the final stop on his Middle East tour, which began on Sunday, according to the Royal Court.
The leaders explored “ways to enhance cooperation between Jordan and Indonesia and about pressing developments in the region.”
Abdullah praised Indonesia’s global role under Subianto’s leadership, emphasizing its importance in fostering stability amid ongoing turmoil, the statement said.
He highlighted how conflicts in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon fuel widespread instability, underscoring the need for concerted action.
Both leaders condemned Israel’s intensified violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, including attempts to alter its temporal and spatial status, “warning against any attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo of Jerusalem’s holy sites.”
Since 2003, Israeli police have allowed illegal Israeli settlers to enter the mosque almost every day, except for Fridays and Saturdays, with incursions peaking during Jewish holidays.
A defense cooperation agreement and three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in agriculture, education, and religious affairs were signed at the meeting, according to a Royal Court statement.
Subianto described Jordan and Indonesia as long-time friends, voicing Jakarta’s solidarity with Amman in defending Palestinian rights, it said. He reaffirmed Indonesia’s firm support for Palestinian independence and statehood.
The talks focused on ways to expand cooperation in defense, education, agriculture, and religious affairs, as well as "efforts to stop Israel's war on Gaza, reinstate the ceasefire, resume the entry of aid, support the steadfastness of Palestinians on their land, as well as the importance of creating a political horizon to achieve just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution."
Subianto’s regional tour, which included the UAE, Türkiye, Egypt, and Qatar, focused on economic ties and the Gaza crisis.
Nearly 51,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed in Gaza in a brutal Israeli onslaught since October 2023.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.