Citing violation of delicate status quo statutes, the Jerusalem Magistrates’ Court has given the Jordanian-appointed administrators of the Temple Mount 60 days to respond to its decision to re-close the Golden Gate compound.
By the Associated Press and Israel Hayom Staff
The Jordanian-appointed waqf council that oversees Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem has 60 days to respond to the closure of a disputed compound near the Golden Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City, the Jerusalem Magistrates’ Court said on Sunday.
The waqf has recently tried to change the status quo near the gate (also known as the Gate of Mercy) by convening in the closed area and holding prayers, but this led to a court-mandated closure.
The compound was first shuttered in 2003 because it was used by a group connected with Islamic terrorism. Israeli authorities say any attempt to change it without approval would be in violation of the delicate arrangements on Temple Mount.
The recent opening and closure of the compound has led to occasional clashes in the area, which spread to the Al-Aqsa mosque.
RELATED:
- Palestinians proclaim ‘victory’ after opening Temple Mount’s Golden Gate
- A detailed history of the Temple Mount’s status quo and Palestinian violations
- Turkey assists Palestinian-Jordanian maneuvers to control ‘East Jerusalem’
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry called on Israel to rescind its “dangerous” court-ordered closure Sunday, saying that the area “is not subject to Israeli jurisdiction” and falls under the “exclusive authority of the waqf.”
View original Israel Hayom publication at:
http://www.israelhayom.com/2019/03/18/court-gives-islamic-authority-deadline-in-holy-site-closure/