Jordan Condemns Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir's Al-Aqsa Incursion, Citing Status Quo Violation

Jordan Issues Strong Condemnation

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan issued a strong condemnation following the entry of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on January 3, 2023. Jordan's Foreign Ministry described the visit as a 'storming' and a 'provocation,' asserting that it constituted a flagrant violation of international law and the historical and legal status quo governing the holy site. In response, Jordan summoned the Israeli ambassador in Amman to formally protest the incident.

Violation of the Status Quo

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is Islam's third holiest site and a highly sensitive flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Under a long-standing arrangement, referred to as the 'status quo,' the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, a Jordanian-appointed body, manages the compound, and only Muslims are permitted to pray there. Non-Muslims are allowed to visit but not to worship. Jordan, recognized as the custodian of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem under the 1994 peace treaty with Israel, views any perceived alteration to this arrangement as a direct challenge to its role and the site's sanctity.

Ben-Gvir's Visit and Israeli Response

Minister Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician, made the 15-minute visit to the compound shortly after taking office. He stated that his government would 'not surrender to the threats of Hamas' and that the site is 'open to all,' reflecting his long-held advocacy for greater Jewish access and prayer rights at the site. Despite the condemnation, an official from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office affirmed Israel's commitment to 'strictly protecting the status quo' at the holy site, dismissing claims of a change as 'baseless.'

Widespread International Outcry

The incident drew immediate and widespread international criticism. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called the visit an 'unprecedented provocation' and an attempt to turn the mosque 'into a Jewish temple.' The Palestinian militant group Hamas warned that such a move would cross a 'red line.' Beyond the immediate region, countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Turkey also condemned Ben-Gvir's actions. The United States warned against any steps that would jeopardize the status quo, emphasizing its firm stance on its preservation.