AMMAN — Jordan on Sunday expressed its rejection and condemnation of an Israeli court decision to close the building of Bab Al Rahmah (Gate of Mercy) at Al Aqsa Mosque. 

 

The Foreign Ministry, in a statement sent to The Jordan Times, stressed that East Jerusalem, including Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, is part of the Palestinian territories that were occupied in 1967 as stipulated in by international law and international legitimacy resolutions and, therefore, is not under the jurisdiction of the Israeli judiciary.

 

The ministry reiterated that Bab Al Rahmah is an integral part of Al Aqsa Mosque with its total area of 144 dunums, and that the Jerusalem Awqaf Department is the exclusive authority under international law to administrate all the affairs of Al Aqsa Mosque.

 

Also on Sunday, the Cabinet voiced Jordan's rejection and condemnation of the Israeli court decision, stressing that Bab Al Rahmah is an integral part of Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, on which Israeli courts have no jurisdiction, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

The ministry also called on Israel to cancel the decision and held it fully accountable for its dangerous repercussions and for the safety of the mosque, rejecting any attempts to change the historical and legal status quo of the holy site. 

 

Terrorism is a common enemy, Safadi said, urging for concerted efforts to eradicate terrorism and combat hate speech, according to the statement.

 

Peters reiterated his country’s condemnation of the terrorist crime committed by a “foreigner” in his country, stressing that New Zealand will investigate the crime and pledging to take all necessary judicial procedures transparently, clearly and quickly.

 

Safadi asked that the Kingdom stay posted on the investigation and updated on the judicial procedures, the statement added.

 

Meanwhile, a diplomatic team headed by Director of the Consular Affairs Department Ahid Sweidat has started providing support and services for the injured Jordanian in New Zealand, the statement added.

 

As part of its follow up on the incident, the Foreign Ministry had dispatched the team to contact the families of the deceased and wounded along with facilitating their travel procedures to New Zealand. 

 

The team is also tasked with transferring the victims’ bodies to the Kingdom or burying them abroad.

 

Qudah noted that the ministry contacted the families of the victims and notified them of the decision to publish their names.

 

New Zealanders flocked to pay tribute on Sunday to the 50 worshippers slain in two mosque attacks, as families clamoured for the return of their dead, AFP news agency said.

 

Coroners said they hoped to let grieving relatives fulfil Islamic burial customs soon, but insisted they had to move carefully through their investigation into the horrific multiple murder, according to AFP.