Jordan Summons Israeli Envoy Over Escalation In Jerusalem

Jordan on Sunday summoned the charge d'affaires of Israel's Embassy in Amman to protest Tel Aviv's continued escalation and attacks against Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem.

According to the Jordanian official Petra news agency, the Foreign Ministry informed the envoy that the Israeli actions in East Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque violate "the international law and the historical and legal status" in Jerusalem.

The Foreign Ministry also warned him of the consequences of continuing violations, provocations and escalation in occupied East Jerusalem.

The ministry's move was preceded by a statement by Jordan's monarch Abdullah II in which he condemned Israel's violations at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Earlier on Sunday, Egypt also summoned Israel's Ambassador to Cairo Amira Oron over Israeli escalation in Jerusalem.

Palestinians in Jerusalem in recent days have protested in solidarity with residents of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem amid attacks by Israeli police.

The protests came as the Israeli Central Court in East Jerusalem approved a decision to evict seven Palestinian families from their homes in favor of Israeli settlers at the beginning of this year.

Israeli police attempted to disperse worshippers inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound Friday evening, using stun grenades and gas bombs. Hundreds of Palestinians were injured and the attacks have been condemned worldwide.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world's third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area the "Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. It annexed the entire city in 1980, in a move never recognized by the international community. -