Jordan envoy's visit to Temple Mount delayed by Israeli police
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Israeli ambassador in Amman after its envoy in Israel was briefly prevented from entering the Temple Mount compound.
Jordan summoned the Israeli ambassador to Amman in protest after the kingdom's own envoy was initially blocked from entering the Temple Mount compound Tuesday.
Jordanian Ambassador to Israel Ghassan Majali reportedly arrived to the compound Tuesday morning for a visit, but was not allowed to enter. A police officer at the entrance asked him to produce a permit and told him he needed permission to visit. The ambassador left and returned later in the day.
Following the incident, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry summoned Israeli Ambassador Eitan Surkis in Amman for clarification. The Israeli ambassador was reportedly told that an official letter of protest would be sent to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
Israeli authorities noted that traditionally, ambassadors and other dignitaries make their intentions to visit known before arriving to the site. Since the ambassador was not on the visitors’ list, the police officer stationed there went to consult with his superior. Had the ambassador waited a few more minutes, said Jerusalem police, he would have been allowed in, adding that prior coordination would have prevented the delay and apologizing for any "false reporting about the incident."
