King, Erdogan discuss latest escalation in Jerusalem

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah has intensified Jordan's efforts to counter the Israeli aggression on Al Aqsa Mosque and discussed the recent clashes with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey over the phone Thursday, a Royal Court statement said. 

They agreed on the need for more coordination among Islamic states to end violations and to stand up to Israeli attempts to Judaise holy sites in occupied Jerusalem.

The two leaders also called on the international community to place pressure on Israel to halt its acts of aggression. 

The phone conversation was one of a series of contacts King Abdullah has made to drum up support from the international community for Jordan's position to defend Jerusalem and its holy sites. 

His Majesty has spoken to US Vice President Joe Biden, European Parliament President Martin Schulz, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour also chastised Israel for its aggression targeting Al Aqsa Mosque and Muslim worshippers there.

“The recent Israeli acts of aggression against Al Aqsa Mosque and Al Haram Al Sharif contradict the Israeli government’s pledges, not only those that are part of the Jordanian-Israeli peace treaty, but also those made at international meetings,” Ensour said.

The premier was speaking during a meeting Thursday with Interior Minister Salameh Hammad, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani, governors and directors of security bodies at the Interior Ministry to address Arab concerns of the recent skirmish in Jerusalem. 

Israeli forces stormed the mosque on Sunday morning, firing rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades, thus injuring people inside, according to reports. 

“Israel realises that such acts of aggression pose danger to the region and to the Palestinian-Israeli peace process,” Ensour said during the Interior Ministry meeting. 

The prime minister focused on peaceful Palestinian-Israeli relations that are hindered by violent conflicts, especially at a place like Al Aqsa Mosque, “which is under Hashemite custodianship,” he said. 

“The recent provocations should not have taken place,” Ensour said.