Safadi, Turkey’s Cavusoglu reiterate condemnation of Israeli violations at Al Aqsa

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, in a phone call on Thursday, reiterated their condemnation of the Israeli minister's recent storming of Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif on Tuesday.

The two ministers stressed that this act represents a serious escalation, and a violation of international law and the historical and legal status quo at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, and warned of this violation’s consequences, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Safadi and Oglu stressed the need for Israel to respect the historical and legal status quo in the holy sites.

The two sides underlined that Al Aqsa Mosque, with its total area of 144 dunums, is a place of worship solely for Muslims and that the Jordan-run Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department is the sole authority empowered to supervise its affairs and manage entries.

The Turkish foreign minister highlighted the importance of the role of the Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem in protecting the holy sites and their identity, affirming his country's support for Jordanian efforts to protect the holy sites and preserve the existing historical and legal status quo in them.

The two ministers stressed the need to stop all illegal Israeli measures aimed at changing the existing legal and historical status quo and all actions that undermine the two-state solution, which is the only way to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.

They also agreed to maintain coordination and cooperation to confront Israeli attacks on Al Aqsa Mosque, through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and international organisations.

During their call, the two ministers discussed bilateral relations as well as several regional and international issues of common concern.