Foreign Ministry summons Israeli ambassador over intercepting Jordanian ambassador at Al Aqsa

AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned the Israeli ambassador to ministry headquarters after Israeli forces intercepted the Jordanian ambassador to Tel Aviv while he was entering Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif.

Ministry Spokesperson Sinan Majali said that the Israeli ambassador had been informed, through a strongly worded letter for immediate transmission to his government, that the Kingdom condemns all measures aimed at unacceptable interference in the affairs of Al Aqsa Mosque, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Majali said that the letter also reminds Israel that the Jordan-run Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department has the exclusive authority to administer the holy site’s affairs and manage entries to the site.

The spokesperson said that the letter stressed the importance that Israel, as an occupying power, adhere to its commitments per international law, mainly international humanitarian law, regarding Jerusalem and its holy sites and Al Aqsa Mosque in particular.

The letter also urged Israel to abstain from any procedures that tamper with the sanctity of Jerusalem’s holy sites and to put an end to attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo or meddle in the affairs of the Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department.