Jordan Condemns Israeli Minister's Entry Into Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa

Jordan has issued a formal condemnation of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's entry into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, marking his second such visit within a week. The Jordanian Foreign Ministry characterized the incident as a severe violation of the site's established legal and historical status, reaffirming that Israel possesses no legitimate sovereignty over Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.

Sovereignty and Administration Dispute

Foreign Ministry spokesman Fuad Al-Majali explicitly rejected Israeli claims to Jerusalem, emphasizing that the Jordan-administered Islamic Waqf Department maintains exclusive legal responsibility for overseeing the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex. The official statement described Ben-Gvir's entry, conducted under heavy Israeli police protection, as part of ongoing provocative measures that represent continued escalation and violation of international law regarding occupied territories.

Legal and Religious Context

The ministry official demanded Israel immediately cease all violations and provocative actions that undermine the sanctity of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. The statement reinforced that Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third-holiest site, remains exclusively designated for Muslim worship, with its entire area falling under Jordanian religious administration according to longstanding international agreements and historical arrangements.

Broader Geopolitical Framework

Israel captured East Jerusalem, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, during the 1967 Six-Day War and formally annexed the entire city in 1980, though this action has never received international recognition. The recent condemnation follows the International Court of Justice's July declaration that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories violates international law, specifically calling for settlement evacuations throughout East Jerusalem and the West Bank.