Jordan warns Israel of deteriorating ties over 'extremist' visits to al-Aqsa
In a curt letter to the Israeli embassy in Jordan, the Jordanian government blasts 'extremists' defiling the al-Aqsa mosque and warns Israel that ties between the two are becoming strained.
In the letter, the Jordanians claimed the visits had taken place repeatedly over the course of a week. Jordan had also previously issued a harsh statement condemning "settlers" for "defiling al-Aqsa."
Additionally, the Jordanians demanded that the Israeli government "stop these attacks and provocations immediately and honor Jordan's role in sponsoring the holy sites of Islam in Jerusalem—a role Israel recognized in the peace treaty between the two countries."
Furthermore, it continued, "This behavior is tantamount to provoking Muslim feelings and constitutes a violation of Article 9 of the peace treaty between the two countries."
Jordan claims that Israel, as the "occupying power of east Jerusalem," has obligations under international law, international humanitarian law, the Hague Convention of 1907, the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and the Hague Convention of 1954 relating to the protection of cultural property in a state of armed conflict.
The Jordanians warned in the letter that this behavior was damaging to relations between the two countries and were undermining efforts to reduce tension and preserve the historic status quo in the al-Aqsa Mosque.
