The Jordanian Parliament voted unanimously on Wednesday to petition the government to boot Israel’s envoy from Amman and simultaneously pull Jordan’s ambassador from Tel Aviv.
The vote comes in response to allegations that Israel desecrated holy areas in Jerusalem, The Times of Israel reported. Israeli officials didn’t immediately respond and it wasn’t immediately clear what action Jordan was going to take against the ambassador, Jordan Daniel Nevo, on the heels of the vote, The Times of Israel said.
Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said the nation’s government “was deeply concerned about the Israeli violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque,” and said the Israelis were guilty of “evil, systemized and pre-planned schemes” against the site, The Times of Israel reported.
Israeli authorities, meanwhile, denied the charges of desecration.
Israel’s police only restricted entry to the Temple Mount plaza in the hours before Jerusalem Day, and set up checkpoints to keep out men under age 40, seen as security risks. Palestinian news reported the police instead “prevented all Palestinian women and men under 50 from entering,” and it was this allegation that led to the charges of desecration, The Times of Israel reported.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Israel faulted Muslim worshippers for throwing rocks and chairs at visitors to the site, The Times of Israel reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.