Jordan announced plans to convene an emergency gathering of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic nations in response to what Jordanian officials describe as escalating encroachments on the compound containing al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. The meeting follows what Jordan characterizes as violations of a longstanding status quo agreement that restricts prayer at the site to Muslims.
On 23 July, more than 2,000 Israelis, primarily from the religious right and including settlers led by national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir, entered the compound known to Jews as the Temple Mount, where they performed prayers and rituals. Jordanian officials described this as the most severe breach of the agreement in modern history. The compound holds significant religious importance for both Islam and Judaism; Muslims regard it as the location of al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, while Jews consider it the site of two ancient temples. The Western Wall, a surviving retaining wall from the Second Temple, is designated under the status quo arrangement for Jewish prayer.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stated that continued tampering with the status quo could trigger religious conflict extending beyond the immediate region. He indicated that Jordan would host the emergency meeting with counterparts from Arab League nations, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan. Safadi expressed concerns that upcoming major Jewish holidays in September, occurring during an intense Israeli election campaign, could prompt further challenges to Jordan’s custodianship of the site.
Jordan has also expressed alarm at recent recruitment efforts for a specialized Temple Mount police unit and broader concerns about Israeli government actions in the West Bank. Jordanian officials have publicly warned against potential mass deportation of Palestinians, which they characterize as a redline. Additionally, water disputes have emerged, with Israel reducing its annual water supply to Jordan from 100 million cubic metres to 50 million cubic metres, reportedly in response to Jordanian criticism regarding the Gaza conflict.
The political situation in Jordan has been complicated by rising support for Islamist movements, with the Umma party securing over 22 percent of available parliamentary seats in recent elections. Meanwhile, a recent open letter signed by several hundred prominent Jordanian figures called for the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from the country, reflecting concerns about regional security risks.
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