jordan pulse -

Royal Commission for Jerusalem Affairs (RCJA) "strongly" condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Haram al-Sharif compound by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, accompanied by groups of settlers.

The committee warned of the serious repercussions of Israel's escalating policies, which undermine peace prospects and push the region toward further tension and conflict.

In a statement issued Saturday, RCJA Secretary-General Abdullah Kanaan said Ben-Gvir and the settler groups' incursion of the Al-Aqsa Mosque constitutes an "unprecedented provocation of Muslim sentiments, a blatant violation of the historical and legal status quo, international law, and relevant UN resolutions, and an unacceptable attempt to impose new realities by force of occupation." He added that these practices represent a dangerous escalation that undermines any chance of achieving peace and sends a clear message that the Israeli government has chosen the path of extremism and provocation instead of dialogue.

He said true belivers in peace do not storm places of worship, nor desecrate holy sites, or provoke sentiments of over two billion Muslims worldwide.

More than two decades ago, he noted the Arabs presented the Arab Peace Initiative as a "historic" opportunity to achieve a just and comprehensive peace that guarantees security and stability for all the peoples of the region.

However, he said successive Israeli governments have rejected the pan-Arab plan and continued their policies of occupation, settlement expansion, and imposing a fait accompli.

He stated these practices confirm that the current Israeli government rejects peace and pushes the region toward further tension and conflict.

The committee affirmed the sole way to achieve security, stability and lasting peace is made by end the occupation and enabling the Palestinian people to obtain their full legitimate rights, mainly establishment of their independent and sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Inn this context, the RCJA referred to action to protect the Islamic and Christian holy sites, and respect the historical Hashemite custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, as the safety valve for preserving the Arab, Islamic and Christian identity of the city, and safeguarding the existing historical and legal status.

//Petra// AG