Arab, EU countries highlight Jordan’s role in safeguarding Jerusalem holy sites

AMMAN — Arab and European countries on Saturday highlighted the importance of respecting Jordan's role in caring for the holy sites in Jerusalem, respecting the sanctity of Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif and stopping all provocative procedures that can only lead to more violence, extremism and instability.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministries of Germany, France, Italy and Spain denounced violence in Jerusalem, calling on all concerned sides to practise the highest levels of self-restraint and refrain from all kinds of violence and provocation, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The joint statement also called for respecting the status quo of the holy places in Jerusalem and the Kingdom's role in these places, reminding the world of the importance of supporting peace efforts based on the two-state solution.

Bahrain also denounced the Israeli forces breaking into Al Aqsa Mosque, which resulted in violence, injuries and arrests of dozens of worshippers, describing these Israeli acts as provocations to the feelings of Muslims, mainly in Ramadan.

The Bahraini foreign ministry highlighted the importance of respecting the sanctity of Al Aqsa Mosque and Al Haram Al Sharif, in addition to respecting Jordan’s role in caring for holy sites and Awqaf under international law, reiterating the need to stop all provocative measures that can fuel violence, hate, extremism and instability.

Also on Saturday, the UAE strongly condemned the Israeli forces’ raid to Al Aqsa Mosque, which resulted in injuring several civilians.

The Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stressed the need for self-control and providing protection for worshippers, referring to the UAE stance that calls on Israel to respect Palestinians’ rights to practise their religious rituals and on Israel to stop any practices that violate the sanctity of Al Aqsa Mosque. 

The UAE ministry also called for respecting the Kingdom’s role in supervising holy sites and Awqaf in Jerusalem under international law and the existing historical quo, in addition to refraining from tampering with the powers of the Jordan-run Department of Jerusalem Affairs and Affairs of Al Aqsa Mosque.