Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, the EU representative in West Bank and Gaza, and foreign diplomats visit the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on January 18. This contested site is revered by both Muslims and Jews.

The visit comes after the Israeli police blocked Ghassan Majali, the Jordanian Ambassador to Israel, from entering the holy site due to a "lack of coordination" on January 17.

The holding up of Majali at the entrance of Al-Asqua mosque triggered tensions between the two neighboring countries. Jordan's Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador to Amman highlighting that the Jordanian religious authority Waqf Department is responsible for the management and supervision of holy sites in the city, including Al-Asqa mosque, while Israel is in charge of the site's security.

The footage includes a soundbite in Arabic of the General Director of the Islamic Waqf, Azzam al-Khatib. The General Director said that the visit by the EU diplomat represents a "strong message of support". The EU representative in West Bank and Gaza declined to comment.

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: Jerusalem- 18 January 2023. Head of the European Union's mission to the West Bank and Gaza Strip Sven Kuhn von Burgsdorff, visits the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City.

0.1 SOUNDBITE (in Arabic) General Director of the Islamic Waqf, Azzam al-Khatib

STORYLINE:

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador in Amman after Israeli police intercepted the Jordanian ambassador while entering Al Aqasa Mosque compound in the West Bank city of East Jerusalem.

Majali added that the letter also reminds Israel that the Jordan-run Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department has the exclusive authority to administer the holy site’s affairs and manage entries to the site.

The spokesperson said that the letter stressed the importance of Israel, as an occupying power, to adhere to its commitments as per international law, mainly international humanitarian law, regarding Jerusalem and its holy sites, mainly Al Aqsa Mosque.

The letter also urged Israel to abstain from any procedures that tamper with the sanctity of the holy sites and to put an end to attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo or meddle in the affairs of the Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department.

Israeli police barred Jordanian ambassador Ghassan Majali entry to the mosque compound via the Lions' Gate, also known as Bab al-Asbat, stopping him, alleging that he required authorization to enter the premises and eventually asking him to leave.

The diplomat slammed barring him entry to the site as an attempt to alter the status quo at the holy site and undermine Jordan’s status and role as the custodian of the holy sites in the occupied city.

Footage by APAwire