Jordan warns of spiraling tensions at Jerusalem’s Aqsa

By Laith al-Juneidi

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) - Jewish holidays have become occasions for stepped-up tensions at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque complex with extremist Jewish settlers entering the flashpoint site in ever-increasing numbers, a Jordanian official warned Friday.

In a statement carried by Jordan’s official Petra news agency, government spokesman Mohamed al-Momani condemned “provocative and irresponsible” acts by Israel, which, he said, “violate the sanctity of this holy place and provoke the feelings of Muslims”.

“Such acts violate Israel’s obligations under international law as the occupying power in East Jerusalem,” he said.

“International conventions call for respect to be paid to the places of worship of all religions,” al-Momani added.

He urged Israel to immediately halt such provocations and show respect for Al-Aqsa’s historical and religious importance, with reference to Jordan’s supervisory role over East Jerusalem’s Muslim and Christian holy sites.

On Thursday, hundreds of Jewish settlers entered the Al-Aqsa complex -- the largest incursion since the Jewish Passover holiday began last Friday, according to Jerusalem’s Jordan-run Religious Endowments (Waqf) Authority.

The authority put the total number of settlers to have entered the mosque complex since April 1 at a whopping 1,731.

For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site. Jews, for their part, refer to the area as the "Temple Mount", claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.