Al-Aqsa Mosque open to Muslim worshipers only: Jordan
Jordan’s King Abduallah says the al-Aqsa Mosque in East al-Quds (Jerusalem) is open for Muslims only and cannot be shared with non-Muslims.
King Abdullah made the remarks on Sunday during a meeting with members of the Israeli Joint List party in the Jordanian capital, Amman, which focused on the recent tensions in the al-Aqsa compound.
"I'll say once and for all, there is no partnership, no division, al-Aqsa is a Muslim place of worship," the Jordanian king told the Israeli lawmakers.
The recent unprecedented rhetoric by Jordan comes days after Israeli forces and settlers initiated a wave of violence against Palestinians at the holy mosque, following the deployment of Israeli troops to the area for the Jewish Rosh Hashanah New Year Holiday.
The attacks by Israeli settlers and soldiers have left tens of Palestinians injured and damaged a mosque adjacent to the al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site which is also highly respected by the Jews and Christians.
Israeli authorities, which have already imposed strict restrictions on entry to the mosque, have since declared “war” against Palestinians participating in protests against the recent developments with Israeli forces authorized to use sniper fire against Palestinians.
"What does [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu want with these actions? To cause a breakdown?" Abdullah asked the Israeli lawmakers.
He added that the recent situation would be the main focus of an upcoming meeting at the United Nations General Assembly this month.
Non-Muslims are currently allowed to visit the compound but are not allowed to enter the al-Aqsa Mosque.
Many, including Jordan’s former Prime Minister Taher al-Masri, say Israel’s ultimate goal is to completely take over and Judaize the al-Aqsa Mosque.
The comments by King Abdullah come as Jordan has recognized the Israeli regime. Jordan is also one of the two Arab countries which have open relations with Israel.
In an interview with Press TV, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Steven D Kelley said that the recent reaction from King Abdullah is “somewhat hypocritical” as the Jordanian ruler “seems to be working so closely with Israel and the United States, supporting Saudis in Yemen" as well as Daesh militants operating in Syria and Iraq.
Kelley added that he expects Abdullah to show similar reactions in the future as it appears that he is trying to do his best to “ride the fence on both sides.”
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