Jordan king meets Israel’s Netanyahu, urges end to violence

By Laith Al-Jnaidi

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) – Jordan's King Abdullah II called during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the capital Amman on Tuesday for ending violence in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The two leaders discussed the situation in East Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and "the importance of respecting the historical and legal status quo," the Jordanian Royal Court said in a statement.

The monarch also called for halting “any measures that undermine chances for peace,” the statement said.

A statement by Netanyahu's office said they discussed regional issues and underlined the necessity for bilateral strategic, security and economic cooperation to achieve stability in the region.

Netanyahu’s surprise visit came amid tension between the two countries after the Jordanian ambassador was stopped by Israeli police while entering Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Jordanian-Israeli relations are affected by the situation in occupied East Jerusalem as Jordan holds the custodianship over the holy sites in the city.

Palestinians accuse Israel of systematically working to Judaize East Jerusalem and obliterate the city’s Arab and Islamic identity.

Jordan has been the official custodian of Muslim and Christian holy places in Jerusalem since 1924.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar