Jordan condemns Israeli extremist march in Jerusalem

AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry on Sunday condemned allowing extremists and a member of the Israeli Knesset to storm Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, under the protection of Israeli forces.

The ministry, in a statement, warned against aggravating the situation in light of the provocative and escalatory march in occupied Jerusalem.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Haitham Abu Al Foul stressed that the extremists’ break-ins and provocation, protected by the Israeli forces, constitute a violation of international law and the existing historical and legal status quo.

He reaffirmed that the Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, with its entire area of ​​144 dunums, is a place of worship for Muslims only, adding that the Jordan-run Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department is the legal authority with exclusive jurisdiction to supervise the holy site’s affairs and manage entries.

The spokesperson called on Israel, as the occupying power, to stop all violations at Al Aqsa Mosque, respect the holy site’s sanctity and the authority of the Jordan-run Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department, and cease all measures aimed at changing the existing historical and legal status quo.