Jordan condemned a visit by hardline Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday, calling it a breach of international law.
A photograph of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the new National Security Minister, at the site has raised tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, days after the swearing-in of a far-right government led by veteran politician Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East war. The Palestinians are seeking an independent state including all three areas.
"The storming of the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque by one of the Israeli ministers and violating its sanctity is a provocative, condemned move," Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Sinan Al Majali said.
"It represents a scandalous and unacceptable violation of international law."
There was evidence that the compound was stormed and Mr Ben-Gvir, a politician known for anti-Palestinian rhetoric, was not photographed inside the actual mosque, which is is one of the holiest places of Islam.
Jordan has long cautioned for years against Israeli actions that could undermine the delicate balance in occupied East Jerusalem and risk a repetition of wider violence linked to Israeli transgressions in the disputed city.
"Israel has to bear full responsibility for the dangerous repercussions of this escalation, which undermines all the efforts aimed at curbing violence," Mr Al Majali said.
Last week, Jordan’s King Abdullah said Israel's new government must refrain from increasing pressure on Palestinians in Jerusalem or undermining the kingdom’s influence in the city.
But he left the possibility open for Jordan to work with the new government in Israel, if it promotes peace and regional economic projects.
The king said Jordan would respond if Israel moved to alter the situation in Jerusalem, including Jordan’s custodianship of holy places there.
The 1994 peace treaty between Jordan and Israel says the country respects a “special role” for Jordan in Muslim sites in Jerusalem, but does not directly endorse the kingdom’s claims of custodianship.
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President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with members of the new Israeli government. Reuters -
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara attend a toast for the new speaker of Israel's parliament. Reuters -
Benjamin Netanyahu after the traditional group photo with Israel's new government. EPA -
Benjamin Netanyahu during the first cabinet meeting of his new government in Jerusalem. AFP -
New Knesset speaker Amir Ohana, centre, with his partner Alon, left, their children, and Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset in Jerusalem. AFP -
Outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid attends a special session of Israel's parliament, the Knesset, to swear in a new government. AFP -
Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the special session. EPA -
Sara Netanyahu, centre top, Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Lihi Lapid, centre left, Yair Lapid's wife, and Esther Hayut, President of the Supreme Court of Israel. Reuters -
Designated Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, left, and designated Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, right, at the session in parliament. Getty Images -
Member of Knesset Aryeh Deri attends a special session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, to approve and swear in a new right-wing government, in Jerusalem. AP -
Designated Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir speaks at the swearing-in session. Getty Images -
Protesters against the new Netanyahu government outside the Knesset, Israel's parliament, as it is sworn in. EPA -
Israelis protest against the new government. EPA
