Tension builds in Jerusalem in US absence
▶ Lack of American diplomacy on the ground criticised as tempers flare
The US yesterday urged all sides to reduce tensions that have been building since last week over Israel’s new security measures at Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.
The state department called for the internationally-recognised status quo – which has been in place around Al Aqsa for decades – to continue, as experts criticised the absence of senior US diplomacy on the ground.
A state department official said that the Donald Trump administration is “urging all sides to take steps to reduce tensions”.
“We welcome the commitment of all sides to preserve the status quo” on Al Aqsa and “we urge all parties to continue their efforts to ensure the safety and security of this holy site”, the official said.
Ghaith Al Omari, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a think tank, said: “The situation is still escalating, and continues to be volatile on the ground in a manner that could spiral out of control.”
The situation arose after the Israeli government installed metal detectors and video cameras at Al Aqsa compound.
Jordan has reasserted its custodianship over Al Aqsa and regards stability at the site and continuation of the status quo there as paramount to the kingdom’s interests.
Mr Al Omari, who was an adviser to the Palestinian negotiating team, said that in terms of diplomacy, “a more charged and accusatory rhetoric is being traded between Israel and Jordan” and that “behind the scenes attempts to resolve it have so far fallen short”.
One of the reasons why diplomatic efforts have failed so far, according to Mr Al Omari, is the absence of the US as an active participant in de-escalation efforts. In 2014, when similar conflict flared up in Al Aqsa, the US secretary of state at the time, John Kerry, intervened directly.
“He flew to the region and mediated with the Jordanians and the Israelis to contain the situation” said Mr Al Omari. “We have seen no high level US engagement on the issue, and it makes it much harder.”
Mr Kerry’s successor, Rex Tillerson, has not spoken by phone to the Palestinians, Jordanians or Israelis about the issue, and his public schedule yesterday contained only a meeting with the executive director of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol.
While reports indicated a push by the Saudis to resolve the issue, neither Saudi nor US officials confirmed them.
“The Saudis may try to get the US more involved in resolving this,” said Mr Al Omari.
Mr Trump spoke to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Friday last week, and the US secretary of defence, James Mattis, telephoned Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the weekend.
Maintaining what has been the status quo since Ottoman times regarding Al Aqsa is critical to defusing the situation, Mr Al Omari said.
“Even minor changes to an inch of the holy site could spiral the situation out of control.”
The second intifada was sparked by the Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon’s visit to Al Aqsa compound in 2000.
The Fatah movement, headed by Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas, has called for a Day of Rage today to protest against the new security measures.
“While circumstances may not be ripe for a third intifada it is unwise not to worry when it comes to Jerusalem,” Mr Al Omari said.
“Especially without visible US diplomacy on the ground.”
We have seen no high level US engagement on the issue, and it makes it much harder