AMMAN, Saturday, December 05, 2020 (WAFA) – The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned today the attempted arson attack by an Israeli Jewish fanatic on the Church of Gethsemane in occupied East Jerusalem yesterday.

Daifallah al-Fayez, spokesman for the ministry, described in a press statement the arson attempt as “a heinous crime” and called on the Israeli occupation authorities to abide by its obligations under international law as an occupying power to hold the perpetrators to account and take all necessary measures to prevent any similar attacks in the future.

As custodian of the Muslim and Christian holy places in occupied East Jerusalem, he said, Jordan will continue to play its role as protector and caretaker of the holy places, stressing the kingdom's refusal of targeting the holy sites and attacks against churches in Jerusalem, their authorities, properties, real estate or their right to run their affairs, as per international law and the status quo.

Israel has been trying to gradually change the status quo in Jerusalem’s holy places by interfering in or impeding the work of their local caretakers, including the Jordan-run Islamic Waqf department, which is in charge of the Muslim holy places, including Haram al-Sharif that includes the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque.

M.N./M.K.