Jordan Is Really Butting In Now

Hot on the heels of the agreement signed between Jordan and the PA regarding the Temple Mount, the Jordanian Parliament has begun legislative moves to cement it:

The Palestine Committee approved a parliamentary bill 'Emaar Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Rock for the year 2013' at its meeting held today under the chairmanship of Deputy Aattiyoa Majali and the presence of the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohammed Noah.

The MP said the Committee approved the draft law after conducting the necessary amendments to its articles so as to ensure empowerment of the Rehabilitation Committee of Al Aqsa Mosque and the Rock of carrying out its functions in the reconstruction and repair of Al Aqsa Mosque and the Rock and that by raising the amount of the value of purchases and tenders committee, which must authenticate Prime Minister to enable them to form a sub-committee to oversee the work carried out.

And Israel's government still seems to be silent.

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UPDATE


Some analysis on the Jordan-Palestinian deal entrusting King Abdullah II with the defense of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem - Jordan administers the Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem through its Ministry of Religious Affairs.:

..."It might be a sign for the start of efforts led by Obama to resume peace talks as it shows that the Palestinian Authority and Jordan have creative solutions for Jerusalem," said Oraib Rintawi, head of the Al-Quds Centre for Political Studies.  "It boosts Jordan's role in the Jerusalem question, giving legal and political means to tackle the issue internationally with the recognition of the Palestinians and Israel."

..."The agreement indicates that something is cooking and that steps are expected very soon to find a Palestinian-Israeli settlement," said political analyst Labib Kamhawi.  "The deal helps Jordan become publicly more active in Palestinian territories."  But Kamhawi said he was "pessimistic" and the timing was "suspicious".  "I think Israel is planning to do something in Jerusalem and the agreement was necessary to help clear the way. We might see developments that are not in the interest of Jerusalem or the Palestinians."

Rintawi said the deal also backs the 1994 Jordanian-Israeli peace treaty.

"It completes articles related to the custodianship of holy sites. At the same time it clears any misunderstanding about custodianship matters and competition between Jordan and the Palestinians."

...The Palestinian ambassador to Jordan, Atallah Khairy...[said] "The Jordanian custodianship in Jerusalem is very essential because any legal vacuum in the Holy City will be exploited by Israel," he said, adding that "the king had been feeling that Israeli schemes in the city were growing."

And the King adds:

Amman, April 3 (Petra)-- His Majesty King Abdullah II on Wednesday cautioned that continuing unilateral steps by Israel constitute a roadblock to efforts to establish peace in the region.

These steps include continuing with the establishment of settlements, aggression against Islamic and Christian holy sites, and attempts to impose Judaism on the holy city.

His Majesty, during a meeting with a delegation of US Senators, pointed out that the two-state solution is the only way to achieve security and stability in the region.

The US delegation included Kristen Gillibrand, Lindsey Graham, John Hoeven, Amy Klobuchar and William Cowan.

Daoud Kuttab.

Hasan Abu-Nimah.

Jordan Times editorial :-
 

The agreement reached by His Majesty King Abdullah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, bestowing on the Monarch the role of custodian of the holy places in East Jerusalem is a reaffirmation of the historic role the Hashemites have been playing in protecting these holy shrines against foreign designs, including the current Israeli policies and practices aiming to Judaise East Jerusalem.

The deal stipulates that King Abdullah enjoys “full right to exert all legal efforts to safeguard and preserve [Jerusalem’s holy sites], especially Al Aqsa Mosque, defined as the entire Al Haram Al Sharif compound…”...Besides treaties and agreements, history is on the side of the Hashemite Monarch when it comes to assuming this noble duty on behalf of the Arab and Muslim peoples everywhere.

Since 1924, when the Palestinians in Jerusalem called on Sharif Hussein Bin Ali to shoulder the responsibility of custodianship of the Islamic holy places in their city, the status of the heirs of Sharif Ali as custodians remained intact and duly recognised.*

More:

“This agreement marks the first time in history a representative of the Palestinian people officially recognises King Abdullah’s and the Jordanian role in protecting the holy sites of Jerusalem,” said Azzam Khatib, director of the Jerusalem Awqaf Department.

“For the first time we have international and national legitimacy to continue to maintain and defend Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone.

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*

A bit odd since:

Two days after the Turkish Caliphate was abolished by the Turkish Grand National Assembly on 3 March 1924, Hussein declared himself Caliph at his son Abdullah's winter camp in Shunah, Transjordan. The claim to the title had a mixed reception, and he was soon ousted and driven out of Arabia by the Saudis, a rival clan that had no interest in the Caliphate. Saud defeated Hussein in 1924. Hussein continued to use the title of Caliph when living in Transjordan.

 

and also

A last attempt at restoring the caliphal office and style with ecumenical recognition was made by al-Husayn ibn `Ali al-Hashimi, King of Hejaz and Sharif of Mecca, who assumed both on 11 March 1924 and held them until 3 October 1924, when he passed the kingship to his son `Ali ibn al-Husayn al-Hashimi, who did not adopt the caliphal office and style

Hussein was in no way a ruler of any country or entity but a refugee.

See Jonathan Halevi.

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