Netanyahu calls King, vows to defuse Jerusalem tension

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday received a telephone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during which he asserted Israel’s commitment to defusing tension and restoring calm to Jerusalem, especially at Al Aqsa Mosque and Al Haram Al Sharif compound.

Netanyahu asserted Israel’s respect of the Hashemite custodianship of the holy sites in Jerusalem and the historic role of Jordan, in pursuance of the Jordanian-Israeli peace agreement, expressing the Israeli government’s commitment not to alter the status quo at Al Haram Al Sharif and Al Aqsa Mosque, according to a Royal Court statement.

King Abdullah reiterated Jordan’s rejection of any Israeli measures that may threaten or undermine the sanctity of the holy mosque, endanger the shrine, or lead to changing the status quo of the holy site.

Earlier in the day, Jordan filed a complaint with the UN Security Council calling for action to halt the Israeli practices in the occupied city.

On Wednesday, Jordan recalled its ambassador in Tel Aviv Walid Obeidat for consultations following Israeli raid on Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem earlier in the day.