Jordan Convenes Emergency Meeting Over Al-Aqsa Mosque Threat

Jordan has called an urgent assembly of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic nations to confront what it describes as an imminent threat to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. The Hashemite Kingdom, which traditionally oversees the site, is raising alarms over a pattern of government-backed incursions by Jewish religious extremist groups into the area.

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This is a persistent, dangerous threat that we are trying to ward off by all means we have.

These actions, according to Jordanian officials, violate the long-standing status quo agreement, which permits only Muslims to worship at the site. The situation escalated significantly on July 23rd when over 2,000 Israelis, including settlers and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, entered the complex, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. During their visit, they engaged in prayer and rituals, which Jordanian officials condemned as the most severe violation in modern history.

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We are warning that actions that disturb the status quo... could ignite a religious conflict that will have repercussions far beyond Palestine and Jordan, extending to the entire Muslim world.

Amman is also concerned about efforts to recruit new religious Jewish individuals into a special Temple Mount police unit and anticipates challenges to Jordan's traditional guardianship role from Israeli extremist leaders during upcoming Jewish high holidays in September. These holidays coincide with a contentious election campaign period for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, potentially intensifying the political stakes.

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This is something the entire international community must be aware of. Jerusalem is a region that is highly explosive.

Jordan's Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, emphasized the persistent and dangerous nature of the threat, stating, "We are warning that actions that disturb the status quo... could ignite a religious conflict that will have repercussions far beyond Palestine and Jordan, extending to the entire Muslim world." Safadi, who will lead the emergency meeting involving counterparts from the Arab League, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan, stressed the need for the international community to recognize the extreme volatility of Jerusalem and the grave dangers posed by Israel's continued actions.

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We are trying to explain the dangers that exist. We are protesting legally. We are trying to build awareness of the real dangers arising from the continuation of these Israeli measures.