Jordan: We will deal firmly with the Israeli escalation on Al-Aqsa

Jordan will deal firmly with the Israeli escalation in the holy sites in Jerusalem, the information minister said.

In a statement to Anadolu Agency, Mohammed Al-Momani said: “Jordan will take the necessary political and legal measures to compel Israel to abide by the peace agreement between the two countries.”

He warned of “sedition and extremism that would ignite a sectarian war in the region,” condemning “the continuing attacks carried by the Israeli occupation forces against Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque.”

Al-Momani said Israel’s actions “represent a blatant attack against Jordan and a violation of the respect for the heavenly religions and a violation of international norms.”

In an interview published by the Jordanian state news agency Petra, Al-Momani condemned “the occupation forces’ attacks on worshipers, mostly elderly, who were severely beaten and a number of them was arrested.”

The Jordanian official also condemned the occupation for breaking into Al-Aqsa Mosque’s yards and roofs and using excessive military force to empty the mosque of worshipers and intimidate its endowments staff and guards to facilitate the incursions of the settlers and the extremist Deputy Speaker of the Knesset Moshe Feiglin. “

He criticised “the occupation forces for using rubber bullets and tear gas against worshipers, as well as breaking the windows of Al-Aqsa Mosque under the pretext of evacuating it from those stationed inside.”

He further condemned “the continuing attacks by the Israeli occupation authorities on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the protection of Jewish extremists attempting to enter it.” Warning that the continuation of such attacks would “escalate religious extremism in the region and enhance the likelihood of the outbreak of a religious war”.

Israeli police yesterday closed Al-Aqsa Mosque before allowing dozens of settlers onto the site. This resulted in clashes with Muslim worshipers already inside the mosque.

For years, Israeli police forces have imposed restrictions on the entry of Muslim worshipers to the mosque.