Jordan’s king warns Israel against Jerusalem ‘provocation’
2 hurt, 9 arrested in 2nd day of Temple Mt. riots; police say they entered compound to ensure Muslim youths do not harass Jews, tourists
AMMAN — Jordan’s king warned Israel on Monday that any further “provocation” in Jerusalem, where Israeli police have clashed with Muslims at Al-Aqsa mosque, would damage ties between the two countries.
“Any more provocations in Jerusalem will affect the relationship between Jordan and Israel,” said King Abdullah II, following a second day of clashes at the flashpoint holy site.
“Jordan will not have a choice but to take actions, unfortunately,” he told journalists in English after talks with visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron. Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty in 1994.
The kingdom, which has custodian rights over the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, on Sunday condemned what it described as an Israeli army assault on the site.
Muslims and Israeli police clashed for a second day Monday as Jews celebrated their new year and protesters vowed to protect Islam’s third-holiest site.
As on Sunday, Israeli security forces entered the compound to prevent Muslim youths from harassing visiting Jews, police said.
Muslims have barricaded themselves inside Al-Aqsa amid protests over access to the site, venerated by Jews as the Temple Mount.
Two people – a policeman and a young Jewish man — were hurt Monday morning when clashes resumed at the Temple Mount for the second consecutive day. Nine people were also arrested.
Five people were detained on the Mount after masked Muslim protesters attacked police with stones and metal rods, wounding the policeman, Israel’s Channel 2 television reported. The policeman was treated at the site.
In a separate incident, protesters attacked the Jewish man at the Chain Gate, at the entrance to the Temple Mount. The man also received medical attention at the scene, Channel 2 said. Two people were arrested. Another two were detained after trying to attack police forces.
Police said Monday morning that, “As the police entered the compound masked youths fled inside the mosque and threw stones at the force.” Masked protesters also attacked police metal bars before fleeing into the mosque, Army Radio said.
Police said they entered the hilltop compound to ensure that Muslim youths massing there did not harass Jews or tourists during the morning visiting hours. The site is sacred to both Jews and Muslims.
— Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
