News / Palestine

Jordan condemns Israeli incursions at Al-Aqsa Mosque as 'flagrant violation'

Sunday, 15 February 2026 6:55 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 15 February 2026 6:55 PM ]

A group of Israeli settlers, accompanied by the regime forces, stormed the courtyards of al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds on April 28, 2025.

Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the ongoing incursions by extremist Israeli ministers and Knesset members into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East al-Quds.

In a statement released on Sunday, the ministry described the actions as a “flagrant violation of the established legal and historical status quo at the holy site and a desecration of its sanctity.”

The ministry further stressed that Israel has “no sovereignty over occupied East al-Quds or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.” It also called for firm international action to halt Israel’s practices in the city.

Fouad Majali, the ministry’s spokesman, emphasized that the Kingdom categorically rejects “provocative acts aimed at imposing new realities at the site and attempting to divide it temporally and spatially.”

He added, “Al-Aqsa Mosque, in its entirety spanning 144 dunams (144,000 m²), is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims.”

The remarks came hours after groups of extremist settlers, escorted by Israeli forces, desecrated the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards on Sunday morning.

According to Palestinian media reports, at least 144 settlers entered the compound in separate groups through its Maghariba Gate and toured its courtyards, during which they attended lectures from rabbis about the so-called "Temple Mount."

Last year, global condemnation followed remarks by far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who outlined plans to build a synagogue at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied Old City of al-Quds.

Israeli minister’s proposal to build synagogue inside Aqsa Mosque escalates tensions, warns UN

The UN condemns the latest remarks by far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir about the al-Aqsa Mosque compound as “highly counterproductive.”

Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the longest-serving imam of Al Aqsa Mosque, earlier urged Arab and Muslim nations and their leaders to support al-Quds and take responsibility for protecting the holy site.

He warned that the Israel regime, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, was carrying out an aggressive plan targeting the sacred compound.

Sabri said that Israeli authorities have decided to bar dozens of young Palestinians from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the upcoming blessed month of Ramadan and to block access for worshippers coming from the West Bank and other occupied territories.

He warned that these measures are expected to significantly reduce the number of worshippers compared to previous years.

Sabri said the new Israeli measures form part of broader efforts to "Judaize al-Quds" and tighten control over the mosque.

Figures indicate that at least 12,136 Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during January 2026 alone.

Activists have called for urgent action to protect Islamic holy sites, warning that daily Israel restrictions are intended to alter the city’s Islamic identity.

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