MPs demand expulsion of Israeli diplomats

Jordan’s MPs on Wednesday unanimously demanded the government expel Israeli Ambassador Daniel Nevo over “occupation measures” being instated at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque compound, state media has reported. "The (150-member) lower house of parliament unanimously demanded the government ask the Israeli ambassador to leave Jordan, and recall the Jordanian ambassador in Israel," Walid Obeidat, the official Petra news agency said. The vote came in response to "the Israeli occupation measures at Al-Aqsa Mosque." A host of prominent Jordanian politics have joined criticism of recent events, after Israeli authorities arrested and questioned Mufti of Jerusalem Mohammed Hussein following an alleged “disturbance.” Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Muhammad Noah Kodaa called on council representatives to break contact between the mosque and surrounding settlements now encircling the holy site. Israel has opened 62 places of worship around al-Aqsa, constituting a “circular wall” surrounding the Haram-Maqdisi area, he added. MP Raed Khalaila even demanded a declaration of war against Israel. Jordan enjoys custodianship over Jerusalem’s holy sites following an agreement signed by Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas.