Amman, Mar. 20 (Petra)-- Saleh Al-Khawaldah, Mo'men Al-Hawari - Jordan has renewed its warnings over the growing violations against Islamic holy sites in occupied Jerusalem, particularly Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, amid continued Israeli measures restricting worshipers’ access and attempting to impose new realities on the ground in breach of the historic and legal status quo, as well as international law.

These warnings reflect a firm Jordanian stance rooted in the Hashemite custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, highlighting deep concern over threats to the city’s identity and Palestinian rights. Officials stressed that current developments require immediate international intervention to halt violations and prevent further regional escalation.

Chairperson of the Lower House Foreign Affairs Committee, MP Haitham Ziyadin, said that King Abdullah II’s warnings place the international community before its legal and moral responsibilities. He emphasized that the King closely monitors developments, particularly attempts to exploit current conditions to restrict access to Al-Aqsa Mosque and impose a new status quo.

Ziyadin added that the ongoing escalation in Jerusalem and restrictive measures in the West Bank pose a direct threat to regional peace and security. He stressed that war cannot be used as a pretext to violate the sanctity of Al-Aqsa or undermine Palestinians’ right to freely practice their religious rituals.

He noted that the parliamentary committee is closely following what it described as blatant violations of international law and peace agreements, affirming that Jordan, under its Hashemite leadership, rejects any measures targeting Jerusalem’s Arab and Islamic identity. He underscored that defending Al-Aqsa remains a consistent national and humanitarian priority.

Ziyadin also called on international parliaments and influential global actors to act immediately to stop what he described as provocations that could push the region toward a dangerous religious conflict, reiterating support for King Abdullah II’s efforts to protect holy sites and ensure unrestricted access for worshipers.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the World Forum for Moderation, engineer Marwan Al-Faouri, condemned the continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the prevention of worshipers from accessing it, describing it as a flagrant violation of religious freedom and a dangerous attempt to impose new realities under the cover of ongoing regional conflict.

He said the King’s warning against exploiting the war to restrict access to Al-Aqsa and impose changes in the West Bank and Gaza reflects a responsible and courageous Jordanian position, demonstrating awareness of the serious risks facing Jerusalem, its holy sites, and Palestinian rights.

Al-Faouri stressed that targeting Al-Aqsa is not an isolated act, but part of a broader policy affecting the dignity of the nation and the rights of the Palestinian people, calling for urgent Arab, Islamic, and international action to halt violations and prevent the imposition of facts by force.

For his part, Secretary-General of the Royal Committee for Jerusalem Affairs, Abdullah Toufiq Kanaan, said that the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque is among the most prominent measures used by Israeli authorities to restrict freedom of worship and escalate tensions in Jerusalem, particularly during religious occasions.

He noted that Israeli forces have closed Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City under what he described as "weak security pretexts," depriving Palestinians and Muslims of performing their religious rituals and exacerbating tensions in the city.

Kanaan added that the closure reflects a systematic policy targeting Islamic holy sites and comes as part of repeated violations in Jerusalem, disrupting religious occasions, particularly Eid Al-Fitr.

Constitutional law professor Laith Nasrawin described the continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan and restrictions on worshippers as a dangerous precedent not seen since 1967, and a clear violation of international law governing the protection of religious sites.

He explained that such measures go beyond restricting religious freedom and constitute a breach of the legal status of Jerusalem. He pointed to international human rights law, particularly Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees freedom of religion and access to places of worship.

Nasrawin added that international humanitarian law, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention, obliges occupying authorities to respect religious beliefs and facilitate their practice, alongside the 1954 Hague Convention, which mandates the protection of religious sites and prohibits disrupting their function.

He concluded by stressing that East Jerusalem remains occupied territory under international legitimacy resolutions that reject any attempts to alter its legal status or religious character, noting that the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque cannot be legally justified and constitutes a grave violation requiring a clearer and more effective international response.

//Petra// MF

20/03/2026 12:19:24