Israel, Jordan trade blows over Jerusalem killing

By Kaamil Ahmed

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israel and Jordan have traded barbs over the death of a Jordanian man after he allegedly stabbed an Israeli police officer in Jerusalem's Old City on Saturday.

Muhammad al-Skaji, 57, was shot dead after he allegedly attacked the officer with a knife. Surveillance footage shared by Israel appeared to show Skaji repeatedly lunging at the police officer, who then fought him off and shot him.

Jordanian government spokesman Mohammed Momani described the killing as a “crime” and held Israel responsible for al-Skaji’s death.

"The Israeli government, as the occupying power, bears responsibility for the shooting and killing of a Jordanian citizen in the occupied East Jerusalem,” the government said in a statement.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the statement, accusing Jordan of showing "support for the terror attack."

"It's time that Jordan stops this double game. Just as Israel condemns terror attacks in Jordan, Jordan must condemn terror attacks in Israel," Netanyahu said in a statement.

According to the Jordanian news agency Petra, Skaji had travelled to Jerusalem with a tour group last week but did not return with the group.

In September 2016, another Jordanian man, Said Amro, was killed after allegedly attempting to stab a soldier outside the Old City's Damascus Gate, where people were filing through for Friday prayers.