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 contend that recent activities by Israeli groups represent escalating violations of an agreement that reserves the compound for Muslim prayer and worship.
On July 23, more than 2,000 Israelis, including members of the religious right and settlers led by Israel’s national security minister, visited the site known to Jews as the Temple Mount. Jordanian officials described this event as the most significant breach of the standing arrangement in modern times. Under the status quo agreement overseen by Jordan’s monarchy since 1967, Jewish prayer is permitted at the Western Wall, while the broader compound remains reserved for Muslims. Jordan has also expressed concern about recruitment efforts for a specialized police unit focused on the Temple Mount area.
Jordan’s foreign minister stated that the continued challenges to the traditional arrangement could spark broader religious tensions beyond the region. The emergency meeting will include representatives from Arab League countries as well as Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan. Jordan warned that alterations to the current status quo pose risks of escalating conflict.
The dispute occurs amid broader tensions between Jordan and Israel. Jordan has expressed alarm over potential Palestinian displacement from the West Bank, which officials describe as a fundamental concern for national stability. Additionally, disputes over water sharing agreements have created friction, with Israel reducing supplies to levels established in a 1994 treaty rather than amounts agreed to in a more recent arrangement.
The situation has contributed to rising political pressure within Jordan, with Islamist parties gaining parliamentary representation partly due to concerns about Israeli actions in neighboring territories and Jerusalem. The monarchy has responded by reassessing its approach to political reform and parliamentary authority.
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