Jordan bans Al-Aqsa solidarity protest

The Jordanian Popular Committee to Defend Al-Aqsa Mosque and other sacred sites has revealed that the governor of Amman banned a solidarity festival due to be held today.

The head of the committee, Abdullah Obeidat, said in a press statement that security forces surrounded the protest site and told the organisers to remove everything that had been set up to cater for those taking part. They claimed that this was because the festival “lacked a permit”.

This, Obeidat pointed out, contradicts the official position towards Israeli crimes and attacks against the Palestinian people. “Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem are a matter of national consensus amongst the Jordanians and the popular Jerusalem intifada is appreciated and supported by all. The banning of activities in solidarity with Al-Aqsa is a step in the wrong direction and conflicts with Jordan’s role and duties as the legal guardian of Al-Aqsa and other sanctities.”

He called on the government to reconsider such measures and to deal with the popular action “rationally and with a mind-set that understands the importance of Jerusalem in the people’s hearts.”

The committee had called on the Jordanian people to gather at the festival to protest against the banning order and express their support for the Jerusalem Intifada.