Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Jordan on Sunday denounced in the strongest terms the ongoing Israeli violations and provocations against Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, the latest of which was the storming today of the holy compound by Jewish extremists under police escort.

Jewish zealots this morning broke into the holy compound in occupied Jerusalem's Old City in large numbers, began singing and raised Israeli flags, touching off clashes with Muslim worshippers and the Mosque guard. The extremists were seen prostrating themselves on the ground in contravention of regulations barring such provocations at the site.

State Minister for Media Affairs and official government spokesman Mohammed Momani said that the Jordanian embassy in Tel Aviv had lodged a protest with the Israeli foreign ministry, expressing the Kingdom's strong condemnation of "such irresponsible behaviour" and demanding an immediate halt to these actions.

Such rejected practices, which are perpetrated by extremist groups under the protection of Israeli police, violated the sanctity of the holy place and incensed worshipers and Muslims throughout the world, he said.

The raids into the holy compound, he added, are also in breach of Israel's obligations as the occupying power in East Jerusalem under international law and the international humanitarian law, and run against all international norms and conventions that emphasize the respect of the places of worship of all religions.

Momani stressed that maintaining calm at the Haram Al Sharif comes through the respect for the existing historical and legal status and the management of the holy shrine by the Jerusalem Waqf religious authority.

The minister said that the Israeli government is held fully responsible for the safety of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the violations by extremist groups and settlers.

He called for the immediate cessation of such provocations, preserve the historical status quo in the holy shrine and respect Jordan's role as custodian of the holy sites in East Jerusalem, which was recognised by the peace treaty between the two countries.