Jordan condemns Israeli restrictions at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque
Jordan is the official custodian of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem
JORDAN’S Foreign Ministry slammed Israel on Thursday for setting up iron barriers at three of the entrances to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, describing it as “a dangerous and unacceptable step.”
“Israel has no sovereignty over occupied East Jerusalem and does not have the right to impose restrictions hindering the entry of worshippers into Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif,” the ministry spokesman said in a statement.
Jordan is the official custodian of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. The Noble Sanctuary or Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Arabic, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, contains the holy Islamic sites of the Dome of the Rock shrine and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The spokesman described the move as provocative and an unacceptable violation of international law.
Muslims are currently marking the Holy Month of Ramadan, and Israel has said it will allow them to pray at the mosque during the sacred period depending on the current security situation.
According to Israeli media reports on Monday, Israeli police prevented hundreds of young Palestinians from entering the holy site for the first Ramadan prayer.
In a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordan’s King Abdullah II stressed the need to maintain coordination to prevent possible escalation in Jerusalem and at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
He said Jordan continues working with all parties to prevent any provocative Israeli measures in the West Bank and reiterated the need to reach a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible to alleviate the suffering of Gazans and ensure the delivery of urgent aid.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian foreign ministry also condemned Al-Aqsa Mosque restrictions
The ministry has criticised Israel for putting in place gates and barriers to prevent access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque ahead of the first Friday of Ramadan.
A statement posted on X said the Israeli army had put in place iron gates at three of the main entrances to the compound “in blatant violation of international law” and in breach of its obligations as an occupying power.
The ministry called on the international community to intervene and defend international laws and provisions.
Israeli police earlier denied setting up new barriers and dismissed the news as rumours aimed at “raising tensions”. It said maintenance work was being carried out to replace the security gate.