Jordanian Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Wael Arabiyat, on Monday denounced as "vicious" the recent Israeli assaults against Al Aqsa Mosque.

He expressed his "complete rejection" at the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram al-Sharif compound by more than 400 extremist settlers under "tight and unprecedented protection of Israeli police and special forces."

In a press release, the minister also censured the Israeli police for breaking into the Aqsa mosque on Monday at dawn and the storming by ultra-orthodox Jewish settlers of the holy shrine, where they stayed until 10am this morning.

The minister said, "It is a blatant challenge and a clear violation of the international law and norms," noting that the assault and arrest of the worshippers and the Talmudic rituals the settlers performed in the mosque, hurt the feelings of Muslims.

Arabiyat also 'saluted' the steadfast brethren of Al Aqsa mosque, youth and worshippers who stood up against the vicious raids.

He called on the Arab League, Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the United Nations organisations to pressure Israel to stop its recurrent violations and its 'failed attempts' to change the status quo in the occupied Jerusalem.

Source : WAM