Foreign Ministry summons Chargé d'Affaires of Israeli embassy in Amman

AMMAN — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday summoned the Chargé d'Affaires of the Israeli embassy in Amman in confirmation of the Jordan’s protest and condemnation of the ongoing Israeli violations against Al Aqsa Mosque, worshipers, and the attacks on Jerusalemites, especially in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem.

Foreign Ministry Secretary General Ambassador Yousef Bataineh stressed that the recent Israeli practices against Al Aqsa Mosque constitute a violation of international law and the historical and legal status quo and must be stopped immediately, warning of the consequences of continuing violations, provocations and escalation.

He emphasised that the provocative actions taken by Israeli police were rejected and condemned, stressing the need to respect the sanctity of Al Aqsa Mosque/ Al Haram AlSharif and freedom of worshippers.

Bataineh highlighted that that Al Aqsa Mosque, with its total area of ​​144 dunums, is a place of worship for Muslims only, supervised by the Jordan-run Department of the Jerusalem Waqf (endowments) and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs, and that Israeli violations represent a flagrant provocation to the feelings of Muslims around the world.

He urged the Chargé d'Affaires to convey a message to the Israeli authorities that, under international law, they must adhere to their obligations as an occupying power in East Jerusalem and stop the attacks on the Al Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalemites, as well as stop evicting residents of the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood from their homes.

Sheikh Jarrah residents are protected by International law and international humanitarian law, he added, underlining that Israeli authorities have no right to forcibly evict them from their homes.

The Jordanian ambassador also affirmed the invalidity of Israeli court decisions on occupied East Jerusalem based on international humanitarian law and called on the Israeli authorities to respect the provisions of international law regarding this issue.

Additionally, he called for respecting the ongoing and valid right of the people to their homes that they inhabited after heads of families signed agreements with Jordanian in 1956.