Jordan deplores Israeli court decision granting Jewish extremists right to pray at Aqsa

AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned an Israeli court decision granting Jewish extremists the right to pray at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Haitham Abulfoul said that the decision is null and void and lacks legal status under international law that does not recognise Israeli jurisdiction on territories occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem, according to a ministry statement.

Abulfoul stressed that the decision is considered a blatant breach to international legitimacy resolutions related to Jerusalem, including UN Security Council resolutions that urge all to maintain the status quo of the holy city.

The spokesperson added that the decision is “a dangerous violation” to the historical and legal status quo in Al Aqsa Mosque and the UNESCO decisions.

He also stressed that the Kingdom, according to international law, does not recognise the authority of Israeli judiciary on occupied Jerusalem. He warned against the repercussions of Israeli procedures at the mosque, which will extend to the entire world. 

The spokesperson also stressed that the 144-dunum Al Aqsa Mosque is a “pure” Islamic holy site and that the Jordan-run Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department is the sole authority tasked with supervising all its affairs.