Jordan’s prime minister attacked Israel on Monday over ongoing clashes between Israeli security forces and Muslim worshipers at the Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem.
In a speech to Jordan’s parliament, Bismarck al-Khasawneh hailed Palestinian rioters and used particularly hostile language to condemn “Zionists” and what he called Israel’s “occupational government.”
“I salute every Palestinian and every member of the Jordanian Waqf [the Muslim organization that oversees the holy site] standing proud … and hurling stones at all those pro-Zionists who besmirch al-Aqsa under the protection of the Israeli occupation government,” Khasawneh said.
Earlier Sunday, Jordan’s foreign ministry summoned Israel’s envoy to the kingdom to reprimand him for the entry of over Israeli security forces into the Al-Aqsa compound on Sunday to allow Jewish visitors to visit the compound.
Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi’s office said he would hand Deputy Ambassador Sami Abu Janeb a letter urging Israel to immediately stop all “violations” against the mosque.
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Safadi intends to convene a meeting in the coming days, attended by representatives of Arab League members Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia and Algeria, to have an urgent discussion on the situation in Jerusalem and Israel’s “aggression.”
Jordan’s Prime Minister Bismarck al-Khasawneh addresses the Parliament in Amman on April 18, 2022 (Screenshot by Channel 12)
After Abu Janeb’s summons, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid conducted a situation assessment at his office with diplomatic officials on Monday about possible countermeasures, which the Ynet news site said would include “serious measures”.
Israeli political sources cited in the report said Safadi’s behavior only fueled tensions in Jerusalem, claiming it was “life-threatening.”
Israeli police officers clash in front of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City on April 17, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
“Rather than stoking tensions, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry is expected to calm things down and honor the sacredness of all holidays,” the sources said. “It is a pity that Jordanians choose to look only to Israel and not condemn the behavior of the rioters.”
Jordan’s King Abdullah II spoke to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on Monday about the ongoing clashes. Abdullah’s office said on Twitter that the two had “stressed the need to end all illegal and provocative Israeli actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
On Sunday, Palestinian rioters threw stones at Israeli buses heading to the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City as well as the Temple Mount compound to prevent non-Muslims from visiting the site.
Police responded by entering the complex and dispersing the crowd with riot control measures.
According to the Red Crescent, 17 Palestinians were being treated for injuries sustained in clashes with police at the site on Sunday morning, five of whom were taken to hospital. Police said nine Palestinians were arrested.
Police said officers were working to distance the Palestinians so the visits to the Temple Mount could take place, and later Jewish visitors were seen touring the site. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Israel Defense Forces have “free rein” to continue operations to maintain security, stressing officials were working to restore calm.
Jordan’s Abdullah condemned Israel for the clashes, criticized the state for allowing Jewish pilgrims to enter the compound and called on the Israeli government to respect “the historical and legal status quo” there, according to a Royal Hashemite Court statement .
“His Majesty King Abdullah II directs the government to continue regional and international efforts to halt Israeli escalation and to advocate for an international position that puts pressure on Israel,” the statement said.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (R) greets King Abdullah II of Jordan (L) accompanied by Crown Prince Hussein (C) before a meeting in Ramallah in the West Bank March 28, 2022. (ABBAS MOMANI / AFP)
Jordan’s foreign ministry said that “the Israeli police have no right to arrange visits to the Temple Mount by non-Muslims,” claiming that only the Islamic Waqf of Jerusalem has the authority to arrange such visits.
“Israel’s actions to change the status quo on the mountain are a dangerous escalation. Israel bears full responsibility for the consequences of the current escalation, which is frustrating efforts to bring about calm,” the statement added.
Jordan has long claimed that its treaties with Israel grant it guardianship of Jerusalem’s Christian and Muslim holy sites; While Israel has never accepted this claim, it does grant day-to-day administration of the Temple Mount to the Jordan-funded Waqf.
The recent clashes were also addressed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said in a tweet that his country “will always stand by the side of the Palestinians,” and by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who called on the US to to intervene.
Many Jews head to the Western Wall and the Old City during Passover week, which began on Friday evening. Non-Muslims can only visit the Temple Mount at certain times and are not officially allowed to pray at the site, which is considered the holiest in Judaism and the third holiest in Islam.
However, recent reports have shown that police sometimes turn a blind eye when such prayers take place.
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