Arab League to hold summit on Temple Mount crisis

The Arab League is holding an urgent summit to debate the Temple Mount crisis and the increasing violence in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria.

On Thursday, the Arab League will convene for an urgent summit focusing on the Temple Mount crisis and the dramatic increase in violence and terror in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria.

Planning for the summit, initiated by Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, is being coordinated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Jordan’s Petra News Agency reported.

On Sunday, Safadi discussed the issue with his European counterparts from Sweden, Norway, France and Germany.

Safadi stated Jordan’s position regarding the Temple Mount crisis in several tweets.

“Briefed #Norway FM @borgebrende on #Jordan efforts to protect, restore calm #Aqsa. Detectors must be removed, historic status quo respected.”

“Spoke with #German FM @sigmargabriel, #French FM #Le Drian, Swedish FM @margotwallstrom on need 2end #Aqsa crisis. Removing detectors is key.”

The tension started on July 14, when three Arab terrorists holding Israeli citizenship murdered two Israeli Druze police officers outside the Temple Mount. Israel responded by installing metal detectors in order to prevent future weapons-smuggling – a move that spurred violent protests and deadly terror attacks.

Israel captured the Old City of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six Day War and gave the Jordanian Waqf administrative control over the Temple Mount. Israeli authorities stress that the status quo is being maintained and reportedly invited Saudi officials to come to Jerusalem and see reality on the ground. The Palestinian Authority claims Israel is trying to change status quo.

The Arab League said Israel was “playing with fire” by installing the metal detectors, adding that “Jerusalem is a red line” and that “no Arab or Muslim will accept violations” on the Temple Mount.

Arab League head Ahmed Gheit warned that Israel’s “adventurism” could provoke a “crisis with the Arab and Muslim world.”

On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened Israel regarding “violations” at the Temple Mount. “No one can expect the Islamic world to remain unresponsive after the humiliation Muslims suffered with the restrictions at the Noble Sanctuary,” he stated.

By: Daniel Krygier, World Israel News

Ahmed GheitAyman SafadiTemple Mount