Jerusalem trouble is ‘stab wound’ to peace says Jordanian PM

Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour has criticised Israel for its policies in Jerusalem, but has reiterated that it is still committed to peace. 

Speaking on Sunday, Ensour said that “Israel and Jordan are committed to peace and to respect the peace treaty”.

The treaty is now 20 years old, and is arguably the best observed between Israel’s Arab neighbours.

He continues to say that “this commitment is not just applicable to one side, it is a commitment by both”.

In recent weeks, tensions in the Holy city have been rising for numerous reasons.

Israel’s Government has closed the Temple Mount site, which is important to Jews and Muslims, preventing Muslims from praying at the Mosque, which is the third holiest site in Islam.

This has caused widespread social unrest and tension, and has seen a backlash of both violent riots and terrorist attacks in the last two weeks. 

In reference to what he called “unilateral Israeli violations”, Ensour said that “the Jordanian government condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the events of recent weeks in Jerusalem, which are not the result of administrative errors or acts by a few extremists but rather a clear government plan to change the realities at the holy places.”

These tensions have been stoked by both politically motivated attacks on Temple Mount, and retaliatory attacks, with an Israeli activist, Yehuda Glick, being shot.

The Jordanian leader appealed to the Israeli Government, stressing that “what is happening is a stab wound to the idea of peace”.

Condemnation of Israel’s actions in Jerusalem follows the Jordanian withdrawal of their ambassador to Israel, and Abdullah’s decision to order two of his ministers and some 40 other officials not to attend a 20th-anniversary ceremony to mark the peace agreement, according to the Times of Israel.