Jordan not to tolerate Israeli interference in Al Aqsa Mosque: minister

A senior Jordanian official said on Thursday that Jordan will not allow or tolerate any Israeli interference in Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest place for Muslims, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

Hayel Daoud, minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, said that Jordan, which oversees Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, rejects any Israeli attempts that affect Jordan's sovereignty over the mosque.

The minister said Jordan will take measures if Israel intervenes in the mosque, as it is an Islamic entity and no one has the right to interfere in its affairs.

He added that there is no law whatsoever that allows Israel to ban Muslim worshippers from entering the mosque and its yards.

On Wednesday, Israel said it has outlawed two Palestinian groups, Mourabitoun and Mourabitat, which have been demonstrating against visits by Israeli Jews to the mosque and its yards.

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said that Mourabitoun and Mourabitat groups were declared "illegal organizations," and a person who participate or finances it will be prosecuted, as the groups undermine Israel's sovereignty and "threats to harm public order."

The Mourabitoun and Mourabitat are grassroots organizations, composed mainly of Palestinian women and elderly men, who hold rallies when far-right Jews visit the al-Aqsa mosque compound.

Over the past few weeks, Jordan condemned Israeli forces and settlers for breaking into the yards of Al Aqsa Mosque, a matter that resulted in clashes with worshippers at the mosque.

The al-Aqsa mosque is the third holiest site in Islam and the most holy site for Jews, who call it the Temple Mount and revere it as the site of their second temple, which was destroyed in 70 A.D. Endit