Jordan's King Warns Temple Mount Violence Will Affect Israel-Jordan Ties

[Little Tich]

Source: Haaretz

U.S. calls for restraint from all sides after recent escalation in Jerusalem violence.

A second consecutive day of violence at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site prompted a rare warning Monday from the king of Jordan, the custodian of the ancient sites, while an Israeli man died and several people were injured after attacks by rock-throwing Palestinians.

King Abdullah II warned Israel, saying the kingdom was "very concerned and angered with the recent escalation's in Jerusalem, specifically in Al Aqsa Mosque" in Jerusalem. He issued a statement ahead of a meeting with visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron.

"We have gotten reassurances from the Israelis government that this would not happen. Unfortunately, these are reassurances we have heard in the past," the king said. "Any more provocations in Jerusalem, will affect the relationship between Jordan and Israel; and Jordan will have no choice, but to take action, unfortunately."

The holy site is a frequent flashpoint and its fate is a core issue at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.675970

[shira]

1. Here's the other half of the story that most media censor...

Inside al-Aqsa Mosque...
http://www.jalaad.com/index.php?module=news&id=54516&category=84

[6chars]

2. Are those prayer stones?

[Little Tich]

3. While I think it's improper to desecrate a shrine with violence, I can't help but wonder if

Netanyahu actually is the cause of the problem, either by design or his usual incompetence.

There have been indications that some fringe lunatics have been trying to change the status quo for some time, some of them even from his own Likud. The shooting of Yehudah Glick should have been a warning that some on the Arab side felt threatened. As long as Netanyahu isn't seen as being tough on Jewish worshipers trying to pray on the Mount or even allowing Jewish visitors to somehow stake out a claim by visiting in greater numbers than before, these protests will only escalate.

Trying to change the status quo on the Temple Mount has already caused one intifada and I think Netanyahu should take steps not to cause another. He's the one controlling events by eliciting reactions to what he does or what he refrains from doing.

[oberliner]

4. Anyone who wants to pray there ought to be allowed to do so

If they aren't hurting anyone else or disrupting their activities in any way.

It would be cool if people of all faiths could just accept that and not threaten violence or worse.

[Little Tich]

5. That would of course be the normal solution in a proper democracy.

But, as long as the Temple Mount is in a political political black hole where only Jewish rights are to be respected, it's only a symbol of oppression to let Jews change the status quo in their favour.

I must add that it's an old right-wing ploy to talk about the rights of the majority ethnic group in a way that studiously avoids a discourse where these rights are part of a basic and general framework that includes the minorities' rights. That is what I see here - Judaization of Jerusalem on the expense of its Arab population.

So, no praying for Jews on the Temple Mount until Arabs and Jews are treated equally, not only in religious matters, but in general matters as well, which could be next year or never.