Jordan Claims: We Forced the Temple Mount Closure

Following up from yesterday's post, this from the Jordanian Petra News Agency:

Israeli police prevent Jewish extremists from entering Al Aqsa compound due to demand by Jordan

Ramallah, July 16 (Petra) – 

Following the pressure exerted by Jordanian government on the Israeli authorities, the Israeli police on Tuesday closed the Mughrabi Gate, one of Al Aqsa Mosque’s doors, and prevented Jewish extremists from entering it.

Director of the Islamic Waqf in occupied Jerusalem, Sheikh Azzam Al-Khatib told Petra that the Israeli police closed the gate and prevented extremists and foreign tourists from entering Al-Aqsa compound today, "the anniversary of the destruction of the Temple," after Jordanian pressure and intervention by the Department of Islamic Waqf and Jordanian ambassador in Tel Aviv Walid Obeidat.

He confirmed that the ban came as a result of the intensive communications undertaken by Jordan to prevent the desecration of Al Aqsa during the holy month of Ramadan. Al-Khatib praised the vital Jordanian role in protecting Jerusalem and the holy sites.

He also denounced the provocative practices indulged in by the extremist groups during the last few days in the form of several raids carried out on the anniversary of the so-called "destruction of the Temple."

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said that the extremist groups toured at the gates of Al Aqsa, especially al-Asbat and al-Hadid, and performed biblical rituals.

Repeated here.

Jordan renews its pledge to protect Islamic sites in Jerusalem.

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