Jordan protests Israel’s protection of Al Aqsa violators

AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry has sent Israel, through its embassy in Amman, a memo protesting occupation authorities’ allowing extremists to repeatedly storm Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif under the protection of Israeli forces.  

The ministry noted in the memo that Jewish extremists forcefully entered Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif last Wednesday and once again during this week up to date.

Accordingly, the “government of Jordan demanded the Israeli government to stop these acts of aggression immediately and respect Jordan’s role as a custodian of the Islamic shrines in Jerusalem, as acknowledged in the peace pact signed by the two countries,” the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The agency quoted the ministry as saying in the memo that such behaviours constitute acts of provocation of Muslims’ feelings as well as a violation of Article 9 of the Peace Treaty signed by the two countries and of Israeli commitments as the occupation force in East Jerusalem under the International Law and the International Humanitarian Law.

In addition, the protested acts are likely to harm Jordanian-Israeli ties, undermine efforts under way to ease tensions and maintain the status quo in Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif. 

Last week, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani said the Israeli government, as the occupying force, was to blame for policies that encourage settlers to "dishonour the mosque", the third holiest shrine for Muslims.

Earlier this month, UNESCO reached a resolution denying Jews’ historical connection to Jerusalem by presenting Israel as an occupying power there.