Jordan has announced an emergency meeting of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic nations to address what Jordanian officials characterize as an imminent threat to the status of al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. The convening follows what Jordan describes as an escalating pattern of visits to the compound by Israeli religious groups, including a large gathering on July 23 led by Israel’s national security minister that Jordanian officials called the worst violation in modern history of an agreement governing access to the site.
Under a longstanding status quo arrangement overseen by Jordan’s monarchy, only Muslims are permitted to pray at the compound. The site holds religious significance for multiple traditions: Muslims regard it as the location of al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, while Jewish tradition identifies it as the Temple Mount, the site of two ancient temples. A separate area at the Western Wall is reserved for Jewish prayer under the agreement.
Jordan’s foreign minister stated that the proposed emergency meeting would include representatives from Arab League countries as well as Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan. He characterized the situation as a persistent danger and warned that tampering with the established arrangements could trigger conflict extending beyond the immediate region into the broader Muslim world. He also indicated Jordan faces concerns about recruitment efforts for a specialized Temple Mount police unit and anticipates further challenges during major Jewish holidays scheduled for September.
Beyond the immediate religious site concerns, Jordan has expressed alarm about broader developments it attributes to Israeli government actions, including restrictions on Palestinian movement in the West Bank and a reduction in water-sharing arrangements. Jordanian officials state the country faces particular vulnerability given that Palestinian refugees and their descendants comprise over half of Jordan’s population. The convergence of these issues has reportedly increased domestic political pressure on the monarchy, with Jordanian parliament members noting a rise in anti-normalization sentiment among the public regarding relations with Israel.
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