Jordan denounces Israel as Jews visit Temple Mount during Tisha B’Av

18 July 2021, 2:54 pm

2 Edit

Israeli security forces stand guard as a group of Jews enter the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City, during the Tisha B'Av fast mourning the destruction of the ancient temples, on July 18, 2021. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP)

Jordan denounces Israel after around 1,000 Jews visit the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City to mark the fast of Tisha B’Av — which mourns the destruction of the Jewish holy temples — following overnight clashes at the holy site between Palestinians and police.

“The Israeli actions against the mosque are rejected and condemned, and represent a violation of the historical and legal status quo, international law, and Israel’s obligations as an occupying power in East Jerusalem,” a Jordanian foreign ministry spokesman is quoted saying in a statement carried by the official Petra news agency.

The spokesman says a letter of protest was sent to Israel.

Under their 1994 peace treaty, Israel recognized Jordan as the custodian of the Temple Mount and other Muslim holy sites in the Old City, which was among the Jordanian-annexed areas that Israeli forces captured in the 1967 Six Day War.