Jordan condemns Israeli settler incursions into Al-Aqsa complex

By Laith al-Jounaidi

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) – Jordan on Sunday condemned Israeli settler incursions into the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque complex amid rising tensions in occupied East Jerusalem.

"The Israeli acts against Al-Aqsa Mosque are rejected and condemned, and constitute a violation of the historical and legal status quo and of international law," Foreign Ministry spokesman Daifallah al-Fayez said in a statement.

According to the spokesman, Amman has sent an official letter of protest to Israel demanding a halt of Israeli violations and provocations against the sanctity of the mosque.

“Al-Aqsa Mosque complex is purely a Muslim worship site and that the Jordan-run Islamic Waqf Department is the exclusive body to oversee the site,” he added.

Hundreds of Israeli settlers forced their way into the Al-Aqsa complex on Sunday, amid tension over plans by settler groups to storm the flashpoint site to mark the anniversary of what they call the “destruction of the temple” in ancient times.

The so-called Sovereignty Movement in Israel is also preparing to organize a march for settlers around the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem on the same day.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world's third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area the Temple Mount, claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. It annexed the entire city in 1980, in a move never recognized by the international community.

* Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara