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Ammon News - CAIRO - Jordan on Monday strongly condemned Israeli measures in occupied Arab Jerusalem which aim to alter the city''s Islamic and Christian identity, and said the holy city is a "time bomb" that could explode the whole region.

The Kingdom reiterated that the holy city is a "sacred cause" for the Arab and Muslim world and that all diplomatic and legal options are open to protect it.

In a speech delivered at a conference of Arab countries hosting Palestinian refugees in Cairo, Palestinian Affairs Department Director General, Wajih Azaizeh, head of Jordan''s delegation to the meeting stressed that the Palestinian cause would remain Jordan''s top issue.

"The Palestinian issue is the crux of the conflict in the region and that peace and stability can only be achieved through a just and comprehensive settlement based on the two state solution and credible terms of reference namely the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative." Azaizeh said.

He outlined Israeli violations in the occupied Palestinians territories including confiscation of land, home demolitions, settlement activities and attempts to judaize the holy city of Jerusalem.

Such actions, Azaizeh added, posed a major block to peacemaking efforts, and were tantamount to a blatant defiance of international law and conventions.

He urged the international community to assume its legal and humanitarian role and take immediate and effective steps to end the plight of the Palestinian people and establish their independent state on their national soil.

"The international community is duty-bound to intensify its efforts to counter Israeli government''s policies which bog down peacemaking efforts." he said.

Azaizeh reiterated His Majesty King Abdullah II''s call for Israel to choose between living in an "isolated fortress" or making peace with the Arab and Muslim countries based on the Arab Peace Initiative and the two-state formula and within a comprehensive regional context.

He also expressed the Kingdom''s deep concern over the financial conditions of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency UNRWA, which is struggling under a severe financial crisis that would adversely affect basic services.

He said that Jordan has consistently emphasized the mandate of the agency until reaching a just solution to the Palestinian refugees issue and attaining their legitimate rights as guaranteed by international law and norms.

The conference which opened Sunday will discuss various issues related to the Palestinian cause namely, Jerusalem, settlement activities, development in the occupied territories and the conditions of Palestinian refugees and the UNRWA. (Petra)