Jordan summons Israeli envoy over Ben-Gvir's Al-Aqsa storming

Regional powers condemn Israeli minister’s move

JERUSALEM
(File photo: Jordan News)
AMMAN — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Tuesday summoned the Israeli ambassador in Amman to deliver a letter of protest against the national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif on Tuesday. اضافة اعلان

The official spokesman of the ministry Sinan Majali said that the ambassador was handed the letter to "immediately" pass it to his government, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

The letter demanded that Israel, the occupying power, adhere to its obligations under international humanitarian law towards occupied Jerusalem and its sanctities, especially Al-Aqsa Mosque.

It added that Israel should refrain from any measures that harm the sanctity of the holy sites and end their attempts to change the historical and legal status quo.

Majali, in the letter, reaffirmed that Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, with its entire area of 144 dunums, is an exclusive place of worship for Muslims.

Since 1942, the Hashemite family has been Jerusalem's Custodian of Muslim and Christian holy sites.

The letter also reiterated that the Jordanian-run Jerusalem Awqafis the legal authority and holds exclusive jurisdiction to manage all affairs of the mosque complex and organize access to it.

The letter warned that the ongoing violations and attacks on the holy sites would lead to further escalation as they represent a dangerous path and must stop immediately.

Regional condemnationQatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Lebanon, and the Arab Parliament condemned Ben-Gvir’s visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque complex on Tuesday.

Under a longstanding status quo, non-Muslims can visit the site at specific times but are not allowed to pray there.

However, growing numbers of Israelis have covertly prayed at the complex in recent years.

The UAE, which established diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020, “strongly condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard by an Israeli minister”.

The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, "This serious violation of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque indicates the direction of extremist policies that the new Israeli government has begun to practice towards the Palestinian people and their rights and sanctities."

According to AFP, after his visit, Ben-Gvir vowed to “maintain the freedom of movement for Muslims and Christians, but Jews will also go up to the mount, and those who make threats must be dealt with — with an iron hand”.


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