Jordan slams continued Israeli violations at Al Aqsa Mosque

AMMAN — Jordan on Sunday condemned the continued Israeli violations at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, the most recent of which was allowing Jewish extremists to break into the mosque for an extended period of time.

The violations also included Israel's arrest of several employees of the Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department and issuing expulsion orders against them, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

The most recent arrest was of the department’s deputy director.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Daifallah Fayez said that Al Aqsa Mosque, with its total area of 144 dunums, is a place of worship for Muslims only, noting that the Jordan-run Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department, under international law and legal and historical status quo, is the authority to supervise its affairs and manage entries.

Fayez said that the ministry had sent an official note of protest through diplomatic channels, calling on Israel, the occupying force, to stop its violations and provocations and respect the legal and historical status quo, as well as the authority of the Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department.

The spokesperson also urged the international community to bear its responsibility and exert pressure on Israel to halt its violations.