The Jordanian government condemned on Sunday the incursions conducted into al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards in the morning by large numbers of Israeli security forces and extremist Jews who assaulted worshipers, sprayed them with pepper gas and closed the doors of the grey-domed mosque.

   Mohammed al-Momani, the Jordanian government’s spokesman and minister of media affairs, condemned these “provocative acts” which “violate the sanctity of al-Aqsa Mosque and hurt the Muslims’ feelings everywhere”.

   Momani pointed out that Israel, as the occupying power in East Jerusalem, bears full responsibility for the safety of al-Aqsa Mosque, its worshipers and the staff of the Islamic Awqaf there in accordance with its obligations under the international humanitarian law.

   He asked Israel to “immediately stop such irresponsible and provocative practices which undermine the efforts exerted to reach a just and comprehensive settlement and resume negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

   Momani added that the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates sent a memorandum on Sunday to the Israeli embassy in which it expressed its condemnation and absolute rejection of the Israeli violations committed at al-Aqsa Mosque.