King Abdullah II of Jordan reaffirms commitment to protecting Christianity and Jerusalem’s holy sites

King Abdullah II of Jordan reaffirmed his country’s commitment to protecting Christian communities and heritage, as well as the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, during his address to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 22, 2026. The Jordanian monarch participated in the General Assembly alongside Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

In his address, King Abdullah emphasized Jordan’s role in safeguarding the Christian presence in the region and promoting interreligious coexistence. “We are protecting Christianity—its communities and heritage—in its native and historic land, while promoting the true image of Islam against the voices of hate,” he stated.

He reiterated Jordan’s commitment to the Hashemite Custodianship over the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and to preserving their historic and legal status quo. “We will continue to uphold the Hashemite Custodianship and historic and legal status quo at Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem,” he stressed.

King Abdullah also expressed Jordan’s dedication to a just peace, while supporting Palestinian resilience and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He presented his country as seeking to maintain a principled and consistent approach amid rapidly changing international politics.

“A country the world can count on: true to our principles, true to our word, ready to talk to everyone, and ready to work with anyone seeking peace,” he said. At the same time, he warned that Jordan’s commitment to diplomacy “should not be taken for granted or mistaken for weakness.”

Referring to conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine, King Abdullah argued that fundamental principles should not depend on the level of international attention a particular crisis receives. “Military force cannot deliver meaningful solutions. It cannot feed the hungry, return the displaced, or build peace,” he said.

The King stressed the importance of legitimate international institutions and trust between nations, in agreements and in the enforcement of rules. “Destroy that trust, and every challenge becomes harder. Preserve it, and cooperation becomes possible,” he said.

Concluding this part of his address, King Abdullah urged the international community to remain focused on crises even when global attention moves elsewhere. “The future is shaped not only by what we do, but by what we choose to ignore,” he said.

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