Israel, Jordan trade blows over Jerusalem killing

Israel and Jordan have traded barbs over the death of a Jordanian man after he allegedly stabbed an Israeli police officer in Jerusalem’s Old City on Saturday.

Muhammad al-Skaji, 57, was shot dead after he allegedly attacked the officer with a knife. Surveillance footage shared by Israel appeared to show Skaji repeatedly lunging at the police officer, who then fought him off and shot him.

Jordanian government spokesman Mohammed Momani described the killing as a “crime” and held Israel responsible for al-Skaji’s death.

Read: Jordanian stabs Israeli police officer

The Jordanian government said in a statement:

The Israeli government, as the occupying power, bears responsibility for the shooting and killing of a Jordanian citizen in the occupied East Jerusalem

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the statement, accusing Jordan of showing “support for the terror attack.”

Netanyahu said in a statement:

It’s time that Jordan stops this double game. Just as Israel condemns terror attacks in Jordan, Jordan must condemn terror attacks in Israel

According to the Jordanian news agency Petra, Skaji had travelled to Jerusalem with a tour group last week but did not return with the group.

In September 2016, another Jordanian man, Said Amro, was killed after allegedly attempting to stab a soldier outside the Old City’s Damascus Gate, where people were filing through for Friday prayers.

Israeli security forces take a Palestinian man into custody on 13 May, 2017 [Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu Agency]

Israeli security forces take a Palestinian man into custody, who entered into the crime scene, as they inspect the crime scene after a Jordanian man was shot dead in an alleged stabbing attack in East Jerusalem, on 13 May, 2017 [Mostafa Alkharouf /Anadolu Agency]

Israeli security forces inspect the crime scene after a Jordanian man was shot dead in an alleged stabbing attack in East Jerusalem, on May 13, 2017 [Mostafa Alkharouf / Anadolu Agency]

Israeli security forces inspect the crime scene after a Jordanian man was shot dead in an alleged stabbing attack in East Jerusalem, on May 13, 2017 [Mostafa Alkharouf / Anadolu Agency]

Israeli security forces inspect the crime scene after a Jordanian man was shot dead in an alleged stabbing attack in East Jerusalem, on May 13, 2017 [Mostafa Alkharouf / Anadolu Agency]

Israeli security forces inspect the crime scene after a Jordanian man was shot dead in an alleged stabbing attack in East Jerusalem, on May 13, 2017 [Mostafa Alkharouf / Anadolu Agency]