Apparatus Intercepts Diplomatic Envoy While Visiting Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jordan Summons Israeli Ambassador: Must Comply with International Law

Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex. (Wikimedia Commons/Andrew Shiva)

JAKARTA - Jordan has protested the Israeli police's actions blocking its ambassador from visiting the Al Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, summoning the country's diplomats to express objections.

In a statement on Tuesday, Jordan's Foreign Ministry said the Israeli envoy received a "strongly worded letter of protest to be sent to his government immediately".

The letter included a reminder that the Jordan-run Jerusalem Waqf Department is the exclusive authority overseeing holy sites in Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, the statement said.

"Israel, as an occupying power, must comply with its obligations under international law and international humanitarian law towards the occupied City of Jerusalem and its sanctity, especially the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque," ministry spokesman Sinan Majali said.

"Israel must stop attempts to change the historic status quo in occupied Jerusalem," he added.

According to witnesses, Jordanian Ambassador Ghassan Majali was stopped by Israeli police at the Lion's Gate (Bab al-Asbat), on the north side of Al-Aqsa Mosque, prevented from entering the site citing a lack of coordination.

This site, which sits on a vast plateau is also home to the iconic Dome of The Rock, revered by Muslims as the Holy Place (al-Haram al-Sharif) and by Jews as the Temple Mount.

Watch: Israeli occupation forces violently prevent Jordan’s ambassador to Palestine Ghassan Majali from entering Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, today. pic.twitter.com/grJOobK0TP

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) January 17, 2023

Separately, Israeli police said Majali arrived at the shrine "without prior coordination with police officers", causing an officer at the compound's entrance who did not recognize the diplomat to inform his commander of the unexpected visit.

While waiting for instructions, officers detained Majali along with Azzam al-Khatib, director of the Jerusalem Waqf. The ambassador refused to wait and decided to leave, Israeli police said.

"Had the ambassador waited a few more minutes to update the officers, the group would have entered," the police said, stressing that coordination with the Israeli police is routine before such visits.

About two hours later, Jordanian state media reported that Majali had finally entered the compound without showing any permission and held talks with al-Khatib, who "informed him of Israeli violations at Al-Aqsa".

Jordan described the move as an unusual provocation, and said Jordanian officials did not need permission to enter the site, due to the state's role as an official custodian. The kingdom also warned Israel against taking "any action that would harm the sanctity of the holy places".

There was no immediate comment from Israel's foreign ministry.

The summons of Israel's ambassador to Amman yesterday was the second time since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new right-wing and conservative government took power.

Jordan has been the official custodian of Jerusalem's Muslim and Christian holy sites since 1924, and is openly recognized as the custodian of Jerusalem's holy sites.

For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the third holiest site in the world. Meanwhile, Jews call the area the Temple Mount, saying 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, then annexed the entire city in 1980, a move never recognized by the international community.