Jordan summons Israeli ambassador over break-in at Al Aqsa Mosque

AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned the Israeli ambassador in Amman to the ministry's headquarters to deliver a letter of protest after the Israeli national security minister broke into Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif earlier in the day.

Ministry Spokesperson Sinan Majali said that the ambassador received a letter of protest to be delivered immediately to his government, noting that the letter stressed the importance for Israel, as the occupying force, to adhere to its obligations as per international law and specifically international humanitarian law, regarding Jerusalem and its holy sites, especially Al Aqsa Mosque.

The letter stressed that Israel must abstain from any procedures that could tamper with the sanctity of holy places, and put an end to all attempts to change the historical and legal status quo in the city, Majali added in a ministry statement.

The spokesperson reiterated that the letter stressed that Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, with its total area of 144 dunums, is a place of worship for Muslims alone, and urged the Israeli government to immediately stop all procedures that aim to interfere unacceptably in the affairs of Al Aqsa Mosque. 

The letter also reminded Israel that the Jordan-run Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department has the “exclusive authority” to supervise the holy site’s affairs and manage entries to the site, warning that ongoing attacks and violations at holy sites can only contribute to further escalation and represent a dangerous step that must be stopped instantly, Majali said.