Jordan condemns Israeli policies in Al-Aqsa, Temple Mount, calls to end 'escalation'

Jordan has strongly condemned Israeli policies in Jerusalem, particularly regarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Temple Mount, calling for an immediate halt to what it describes as an “escalation.” On August 5, 2026, foreign ministers and representatives from Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the Palestinian Authority, Indonesia, Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia, Egypt, and Morocco, along with the secretary-general of the League of Arab States, met in Amman to issue joint statements. They denounced recent Israeli actions as efforts to undermine the “Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity” of Jerusalem. The group specifically criticized Israeli policies aimed at altering the historical and legal status quo of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, located atop the Temple Mount, which holds profound significance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Participants accused Israel of attempting to impose “temporal and spatial division” within the site, thereby disrupting the existing balance of religious practices. These accusations include allegations of facilitating incursions by extremist settlers and Israeli officials, restricting access for worshippers, and conducting illegal excavations near the mosque. The situation has intensified with recent developments involving Jewish visitors to the Temple Mount. In early August, thousands of Jews, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited the site during the observance of Tisha B’Av, a day marking the destruction of the First and Second Temples. Ultra-Orthodox Jews prayed at the Temple Mount, prompting Israeli police to detain several individuals for violating restrictions on prayer. This led to increased tensions, as the Israeli authorities reportedly relaxed some rules in January, allowing Jewish visitors to bring a single printed prayer page, though prayer books remain banned. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi emphasized the dangers posed by these changes, stating that tampering with the status quo could lead to a broader religious conflict affecting the entire Muslim world. He warned that such actions pose a serious threat to regional stability and international peace. The representatives also reiterated their stance that East Jerusalem belongs to the Palestinian territories and must serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state. They argued that this is essential for realizing the two-state solution, which they view as the sole viable path to achieving lasting peace. The group warned that Israeli attacks on Islamic holy sites in occupied Jerusalem represent a direct provocation to over two billion Muslims globally and risk triggering conflicts with far-reaching consequences. In addition to the issues surrounding the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Muslim leaders expressed concern over Israeli actions targeting Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. They cited restrictions on access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which were imposed in March as part of wartime security measures. These restrictions followed heightened security concerns due to Iranian missile attacks and the damage caused by a fragment of an intercepted Iranian ballistic missile landing on the church. As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, with many fearing that ongoing tensions could escalate further, potentially leading to broader geopolitical ramifications. The call for de-escalation and respect for the religious and cultural heritage of Jerusalem remains a central demand among the participating nations.