Jordan’s Foreign Ministry today summoned the Israeli ambassador in Amman after Israeli police intercepted the Jordanian ambassador while entering Al Aqasa Mosque compound in the occupied West Bank city of East Jerusalem.
Ministry Spokesperson Sinan Majali stated that the Israeli ambassador Eitan Surkis had been informed with a strongly worded letter for immediate transmission to his government, where the letter affirmed the Jordanian government’s condemnation of all measures aimed at unacceptable interference in the affairs of Al Aqsa Mosque, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
Majali added that the letter also reminds Israel that the Jordan-run Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department has the exclusive authority to administer the holy site’s affairs and manage entries to the site.
The spokesperson said that the letter stressed the importance of Israel, as an occupying power, to adhere to its commitments as per international law, mainly international humanitarian law, regarding Jerusalem and its holy sites, mainly Al Aqsa Mosque.
The letter also urged Israel to abstain from any procedures that tamper with the sanctity of the holy sites and to put an end to attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo or meddle in the affairs of the Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department.
Israeli police barred Jordanian ambassador Ghassan Majali entry to the mosque compound via the Lions’ Gate, also known as Bab al-Asbat, stopping him, alleging that he required authorization to enter the premises and eventually asking him to leave.
The diplomat slammed barring him entry to the site as an attempt to alter the status quo at the holy site and undermine Jordan’s status and role as the custodian of the holy sites in the occupied city.
Source: Palestine News and Information Agency