Jordan has called an emergency meeting of foreign ministers from Arab and Muslim-majority countries amid growing concerns over what it describes as an imminent threat of an Israeli takeover of the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, one of the city’s holiest and most contested religious sites. The meeting, convened by Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, is set to include representatives from the Arab League, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan, reflecting the wider regional alarm over the situation.

Jordan’s government has expressed deep concern over recent actions by Israeli far-right figures, particularly following a large-scale incursion on July 23 when over 2,000 Israelis, mainly religious right-wing activists and settlers led by Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, entered the compound. Known to Jews as the Temple Mount, the site houses both the al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock and is subject to a longstanding status quo agreement dating back to the 19th century. Under this agreement, overseen by Jordan’s Hashemite monarchy, only Muslims are permitted to pray at the compound.

Safadi warned that any attempts to alter the status quo could ignite religious conflict, with repercussions beyond Palestine and Jordan, potentially affecting the broader Muslim world. He described Jerusalem as a “tinderbox” and emphasized the need for the international community to recognize the gravity of the situation. The upcoming Jewish holidays in September, which fall amid Israel’s heated election campaign, have heightened concerns of further provocations, especially as there is an ongoing recruitment drive for a dedicated Temple Mount police unit involving religious Jews.

Jordan’s apprehensions have drawn parallels within Israel’s domestic political landscape, where some opposition figures argue that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition, which includes Ben-Gvir, is pursuing judicial reforms that may weaken Israeli democracy and strain international relations. The al-Aqsa compound has been a flashpoint for recent clashes between Muslim worshippers and Israeli police, underscoring the site’s sensitivity.

The compound’s religious significance is profound: it is the third holiest site in Islam and simultaneously revered by Jews as the site of the ancient Temple Mount. Jordan maintains custodianship of the site under a peace treaty with Israel, a role that deepens its investment in preventing escalations. Jordanian officials have labeled Ben-Gvir’s visit to al-Aqsa as a provocation that exacerbated tensions.

Safadi pledged that Jordan would employ all available means to prevent any escalation and preserve peace, while the emergency ministerial meeting aims to build a collective regional response and raise awareness about the delicate and volatile status of Jerusalem’s holy sites.