'Israeli storming of Al Aqsa Mosque aims to erase Palestinian presence'

AMMAN — Secretary-General of the Royal Committee for Jerusalem Affairs Abdullah Kanaan on Sunday stressed that the storming of the Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif represents an escalating Zionist colonial approach aimed at undermining Palestinian identity and presence in Jerusalem.

Kanaan said that the Israeli occupation invokes alleged religious rituals based on the myth of the "Temple Mount" to carry out repeated incursions, coinciding with Jewish religious holidays such as Hanukkah, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.  

"These actions aim to impose colonial realities, provoke Muslims and Christians, and deprive them of freely practising their worship and celebrating their holidays," he added.

"As Muslims engage in worship and prayer at the Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif —a site whose exclusive ownership by Muslims is supported by religious, historical, and international legal evidence—and as Jerusalem's churches and neighbourhoods celebrate the Christmas season, the occupation undermines the spirit of peace."

"It does so by promoting a false colonial narrative tied to the so-called Hanukkah, a celebration linked to the alleged Temple. Rather than fostering peace and reassurance, the holiday spreads hatred and incursions, with the support and protection of the far-right Israeli government."

He also that these incursions are accompanied by provocative actions and continuous assaults, reiterating that the Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif is exclusively Islamic property, as upheld by religious, historical, and legal facts.

Kanaan also warned that the ongoing aggressive policies of the occupation, including settlement expansion, the Gaza blockade, and restrictions on Christians, risk igniting a regional religious conflict. 

He also urged the international community to intervene without delay to stop these violations, hold Israel accountable for its actions, and bring an end to the occupation.

He also reiterated Jordan's unwavering commitment, under its Hashemite leadership, to defending Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and to standing by the Palestinian people until they achieve their legitimate rights.

Jordan on Sunday condemned the recent incursions by Israeli settlers into the Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif and their provocative, escalatory actions that violate the sanctity of the holy site.

Jordan also held Israel, as an occupying force, fully responsible for these violations, which took place under the protection of occupation forces.