Temple Mount tensions lead to diplomatic crisis between Jordan, Israel
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said yesterday he views with utmost severity comments by Jordan's prime minister blaming Israel for violence on Temple Mount compound.
Jerusalem reacted angrily April 19, after Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh hailed Palestinian rioters in the Temple Mount compound. The riots broke out early Friday morning, with Palestinians hurling stones at the Western Wall Plaza below and barricading themselves in a building on the site. Police detained several hundred people, and at least 152 Palestinians were injured in clashes with the police.
Later in the day, Israel reopened the site, and the Friday Ramadan service was conducted peacefully.
Addressing a session of the Jordanian parliament, Khasawneh said “I salute every Palestinian, and all the employees of the Jordanian Islamic Waqf, who proudly stand like minarets, hurling their stones in a volley of clay at the Zionist sympathizers defiling the Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the Israeli occupation government.” Also addressing the parliament, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said yesterday that Amman’s position regarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque and its protection remained the same.
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry summoned Israel’s ambassador for a reprimand yesterday over Israeli actions on the Temple Mount. Since Ambassador Eitan Surkis was out of the country, his deputy Sami Abu Janeb went to the meeting.
