The Foreign Ministry of Jordan on Friday condemned Israeli occupiers storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem after assaulting two of its guards.
The ministry also condemned the “provocative practices” and “continued incursions” by Israeli occupiers into Al-Aqsa Mosque. Jordan has traditionally been restrained in any criticism of Israeli actions, so this comment is considered surprising.
Calling it a “blatant violation of international law,” it stressed that “Israel has no sovereignty over the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif”.
Ministry spokesperson Fuad Al-Majali affirmed Jordan’s “rejection and strong condemnation of the ongoing incursions and provocative practices by extremists,” and denounced Israel’s attempts “to impose new realities aimed at dividing Al-Haram Al-Sharif temporally and spatially”.
Warning against such provocations and illegal violations, Al-Majali urged the international community to “take a firm international stance obligating Israel, as the occupying power, to cease its violations and ongoing illegal practices toward the Islamic and Christian sanctities in Jerusalem”. Israel has generally acted without of any fear of repercussions as it enjoys broad support from the US, EU and its allies. Despite verbal condemnations, no further action has been considered by the Western leaders.
The Jordanian military spokesperson also called on the Israeli government to end its “extremist policy aimed at perpetuating dangerous escalation and unilateral illegal measures in the occupied West Bank”.
The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate said “nine occupiers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound after assaulting two of its guards, and they were carrying a bread offering,” alluding to the bread offering on the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.
Since 2003, Israeli police have unilaterally allowed occupiers to enter the mosque daily during the morning and afternoon prayers, except Fridays and Saturdays.
Palestinians said Israel is intensifying efforts to Judaise East Jerusalem, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and erase its Arab and Islamic identity.
The Palestinians regard East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, based on international resolutions that do not recognise Israel’s occupation of the city in 1967 or its annexation in 1980. – AA
