The recent events at the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem have raised tensions between Israel and Jordan. Amidst the brutality carried out by the Israeli forces during the holy month of Ramadan, Jordan has warned Israel of catastrophic consequences if its forces stormed the Al-Aqsa mosque again. Videos emerged on social media showing Israeli police firing and ransacking the mosque, along with beating the worshippers in cold blood.
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Ambassador Sinan al-Majali, stated that if the Israeli police were to assault the worshippers again, it would push the situation towards more tension and violence, for which everyone will pay the price. He further added that the Israeli government bears responsibility for the escalation in Jerusalem and in all the occupied Palestinian territories and for the deterioration that will worsen if it does not stop its incursions into the holy al-Aqsa mosque and its terrorisation of worshippers in these blessed days.
The warning from Jordan was followed by a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, which hinted at assaulting the worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque again. The Israeli ministry claimed that people who barricade themselves inside the al-Aqsa mosque are a dangerous mob, radicalised and incited by Hamas and other terror organisations. The ministry asked Jordan to immediately remove its Waqf guards from the al-Aqsa Mosque, the extremists who are planning to riot during Muslim prayers on the Temple Mount and the Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall.
The Waqf is the body appointed by Jordan responsible for managing the al-Aqsa mosque compound, known as the Temple Mount by Jews. Israeli police had conducted an inhuman raid twice on al-Aqsa mosque last week by claiming that hundreds of rioters and mosque desecrators had barricaded themselves inside. On Saturday, the police alleged that many youngsters had entered the mosque and closed the doors for no reason.
These raids and brutality on the innocent Palestinian worshippers are the last provocations by the Israeli forces. Israeli police raids of the Al-Aqsa mosque are considered by Muslims as a major provocation. The recent events have raised concerns among many Palestinians, Muslims and people around the world, who fear that the violence may escalate, leading to a full-scale conflict between Israel and Palestine.
It is important for both Israel and Palestine to maintain peace and stability in the region. The rights of Palestinians to practice their religion at the Al-Aqsa mosque must be protected, and any provocation by Israeli forces must be condemned by the international community. Jordan’s warning to Israel should not be taken lightly, and the Israeli government must take steps to prevent any further escalation of violence in the region. It is time for both sides to engage in dialogue and find a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict.
