Jordan condemns Israeli minister's breach of Jerusalem mosque

Jordan, the custodian of holy sites in occupied Jerusalem, denounced as "immoral and provocative" a tour of Al Aqsa Mosque compound by six Jewish extremists led by Israeli housing minister Uri Ariel. Commenting on the latest breach of the sanctity of one of the most sacred sites in Islam, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Hayel Dawood, said, "This immoral behaviour is totally rejected and is unacceptable, particularly as it comes from an official in the Israeli government, which is well aware that Jordan has the custodianship of the holy city and its shrines." "This irresponsible behaviour is designed to provoke the feelings of worshippers in the Al Aqsa and the Muslims in the world at large," he told Petra. The minister also condemned the non-stop Jewish violations of the mosque grounds in the Old City of Jerusalem under the protection of Israeli police, actions that also hinder renovation work at the holy site and deny access of reconstruction and maintenance materials into the compound. On Friday, Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani issued a statement condemning Israel's storming of the Jerusalem site after Friday prayers in which soldiers fired tear gas canisters against worshippers.