AMMAN: Jordan strongly condemned ongoing and increasing incursions by extremist settlers into Al-Aqsa Mosque – Al-Haram Al-Sharif compound, with the latest incident occurring on Wednesday under the protection of Israeli police.
“These provocative actions within Al-Haram Al-Sharif violate its sanctity and were marked by a significant presence of extremists in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem and at the gates of Al-Haram Al-Sharif, restricting the entry of worshipers into the mosque,” a statement from the Jordanian foreign ministry read.
Jordan is universally regarded as custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem.
The ministry described such actions as part of “a systematic Israeli policy that blatantly disregards international laws and Israel’s obligations as the occupying power in Jerusalem.”
Ministry spokesperson Sufian Al-Qudah warned that the continuing violations and provocations of the Israeli settlers contravene the established legal and historical status quo in occupied Jerusalem and its holy sites and constitute a violation of international law.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque - Al-Haram Al-Sharif compound, Al-Qudah reiterated, and Israel has no sovereignty over it or over occupied East Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The official also stressed the necessity of respecting the authority of the Jerusalem Waqf Administration, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, which is the sole authority responsible for managing all affairs of Al-Aqsa Mosque - Al-Haram Al-Sharif and regulating entry into it.
