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Jerusalem violence puts century-old status quo to the test

Jerusalem violence puts century-old status quo to the test

Jordan, the custodian of many important Muslim and Christian sites in the city, feels like it has been left with little choice than to issue statements of condemnation from Amman, less than 100 kilometers away.

The old city, where the al-Aqsa mosque is located, is in the eastern part of Jerusalem, which is considered to be under Israeli occupation by most of the international community, though Israel rejects this characterization.

To Jews the site is called Temple Mount, the holiest place in Judaism. Muslims call it the Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and revere it as the third holiest site in Islam.

Last week, Jordan summoned an Israeli diplomat and said Israel’s recent actions are aimed at “changing the identity” of the holy sites. Israel shot back, saying Jordan’s response to the recent unrest — with the country’s prime minister praising the stone throwers — was providing backing to those committing acts of violence.

Jerusalem holds dear value to the Hashemite rulers of Jordan, who are believed to be descendants of Islam’s prophet Mohammed. The monarchy has been the custodian of the city’s Muslim and Christian holy sites since 1924 and sees itself as the guarantor of the religious rights of Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem and the integrity of their holy sites.

Custodianship is significant for Jordan because it is rooted in history and serves as a source of legitimacy, says Marwan Muasher, vice president for studies at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, who formerly served as Jordan’s foreign minister and was its first ambassador to Israel.

Since 1967, when Israel captured East Jerusalem from Jordan, arrangements have been governed by a ‘status quo’ understanding between the two. Israel formally recognized Jordan’s “special role” at the site in a 1994 peace treaty and the current arrangement allows only Muslims to worship there, although anyone is allowed to visit during certain hours.

Despite the title, Jordan’s…

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