AMMAN (JT) –– The government on Sunday expressed its “rejection and condemnation of the entry of Israeli police into Al Aqsa Mosque”.

Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications and Government Spokesperson Nabil Sharif said the incident will raise tensions and lead to more violence, stressing that the timing of the incident conveys Israel's rejection of peace, particularly as international efforts are leaning towards relaunching peace negotiations to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli chargé d'affaires to convey the Kingdom's rejection of the Israeli "escalation", calling on Israel to halt its "provocative" practices, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Also on Sunday, the Islamic Action Front issued a statement condemning the Israeli measures in Jerusalem, calling on the government to sever relations with Israel.

Professional Associations Council President Abdullah Obeidat also denounced Israel's actions, calling for international intervention to protect the holy site from "the clutches of settlers".

"Israel is undertaking serious measures of escalation to impose new realities on Jerusalem and Al Aqsa Mosque. This is very dangerous," said Obeidat, who also heads the Jordan Engineers Association.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Royal Commission for Jerusalem Affairs Abdullah Kanaan called on the Arab, Islamic and international communities to act effectively and seriously to face Israel’s settlement plans “aimed at Judaising” the holy city of Jerusalem.

Mohammad Ben Hussein contributed to this story