Jordan has called for an emergency gathering of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic nations to address concerns about the status of al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. Jordanian officials characterize recent developments as an escalating threat that could trigger religious conflict across the wider Muslim world.
The situation stems from what Jordan describes as repeated breaches of a longstanding agreement that restricts prayer at the compound to Muslims. On 23 July, more than 2,000 Israeli participants, including settlers and the national security minister, entered the area known to Jews as the Temple Mount to pray and conduct religious rituals. Jordan’s foreign minister characterized this as the most serious violation of the arrangement in modern history. Additionally, Jordan has expressed alarm over recruitment efforts for a specialized police unit focused on the Temple Mount and anticipates further tensions during major Jewish holidays later in the year.
The status quo arrangement dates back over a century and was formalized through the 1994 Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty following the 1967 war. Under this framework, Jews may pray at the Western Wall, a surviving structure from ancient times, while Muslims retain prayer rights at the broader compound. Historical precedent shows that violations have preceded significant violence, including riots during the British Mandate period and the second intifada following a 2000 visit to the compound.
Beyond the Jerusalem religious site, Jordan faces broader regional concerns. Officials worry about potential mass deportations of Palestinians from the West Bank, which could destabilize Jordan economically and demographically, given that Palestinians already comprise over half the country’s population. Water security also represents a point of tension, as Israel has reduced water deliveries to Jordan, returning to 1994 agreement levels after having provided additional supplies under a 2021 arrangement.
These developments have increased domestic political pressure on Jordan’s monarchy. Opposition to close ties with Israel has grown, contributing to electoral gains by Islamist parties. The confluence of events surrounding Jerusalem, water resources, and West Bank developments has raised the political cost of maintaining normalized relations with Israel, according to Jordanian officials and parliamentarians.
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