Ammon News - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Monday condemned the latest Israeli violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif and called for a halt to ongoing breaches in occupied East Jerusalem.

The latest Israeli action involved infringement by Israeli police of the jurisdiction of the Jordan-run Department of the Jerusalem Waqf (endowments) and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs, and disruption of the restoration work of the Qubbat al-Sakhrah (Dome of the Rock) Mosque.

In a statement, ministry spokesperson Daifallah Al-Fayez rejected Israeli actions against the Department of the Jerusalem Waqf and Al-Aqsa Affairs, stressing that the Department is the sole authority responsible for the supervision and upkeep of Al-Haram Al-Sharif.

He called on Israel, as the occupying power, to live up to its obligations under the international law, halt the 'frivolous and irresponsible behavior' and respect the historical and legal status quo and the authority of the Jerusalem Waqf Department, underlining that the 144-dunum Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif belongs to Muslims only.

The spokesman said that the ministry today lodged an official protest note through diplomatic channels in which it demanded that Israel refrain from such violations and provocations, and respect the mandate of the Jordanian Waqf.