Jordan protested Monday to Israel's chargé d'affaires in Amman over escalating violence on the Temple Mount and in an ancient part of East Jerusalem. The Israeli diplomat was summoned to the kingdom's Foreign Ministry, where he was handed a note demanding "an immediate end to all provocations and illegal actions on the territory of Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque," Petra reported.
Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi had earlier criticized Israel "for its continued violations of the historical, legal and demographic status of East Jerusalem."
"The Hashemite Kingdom's highest priority is to protect Islamic and Christian holy sites located in the Old City," he said in a speech to members of the lower house of parliament. - "Therefore, Jordan will oppose all illegal measures taken by the Israeli authorities".
The foreign minister emphasized that visits of non-Muslims to the territory of Al-Aqsa Mosque have to be coordinated with the Islamic Spiritual Directorate of Jerusalem.
For their part, 87 out of 130 members of the Jordanian parliament signed a petition on Monday demanding the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador (the head of the diplomatic mission is currently absent in Amman) and it was handed over to the government in the kingdom. The lawmakers' demarche comes in response to attacks by Israeli security forces on Muslim worshippers gathered to pray in al-Aqsa.
As the Petra News Agency points out, the situation on the Temple Mount escalated again Monday during a visit by a group of Jewish pilgrims to the Jerusalem mosque grounds. Israeli police dispersed the Arab protesters, and 18 people were detained.
The imam of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Akram Sabri, had earlier said that the reason for the clashes on the Temple Mount on April 15 was the provocation of Jewish settlers. According to Wafa News Agency, 153 Arabs needed medical help after the Israeli military and police used special means, and 250 people were injured. There were also at least eight injured among the Israelis.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS