Jordan condemns Ben-Gvir’s incursion into Aqsa Mosque as “provocative escalation”

Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs has issued a strong condemnation following a visit by far-right 'Israeli' Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir to Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif on Sunday, denouncing it as a serious violation of international law and the sanctity of Islamic holy sites.

The ministry said Ben-Gvir’s presence at the site, accompanied by Israeli Occupation police, was “an unacceptable provocation and a condemned escalation,” stressing that 'Israel' holds no sovereignty over the mosque compound.

“This is a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law,” the ministry stated.

Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Sufyan Qudah reiterated Jordan’s categorical rejection of the repeated stormings of Al-Aqsa by 'Israeli' extremists and settlers, facilitated by 'Israeli' police. He emphasized that such actions threaten the historical and legal status quo of the site and are part of attempts to divide it both spatially and temporally.

“These actions are a desecration of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque,” Qudah said.

He also warned of the broader consequences of these repeated provocations, not only for Islamic but also Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem.

“Israel, as the occupying power, must immediately stop the provocative behavior of this extremist minister, whose actions reflect the current Israeli government's dangerous and unilateral policies in the occupied West Bank,” he added.

The ministry reaffirmed that the entire 144-dunum area of Al-Aqsa Mosque is a sacred Islamic site and a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. It also reiterated that the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf, through the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, is the sole legal authority responsible for the administration of the mosque and for overseeing entry into it.