EU reiterates 'steadfast commitment' to upholding status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The EU foreign police chief on Thursday held a phone conversation with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and reiterated the EU's “steadfast commitment” to upholding the status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem.

"Spoke with DPM @AymanHSafadi to confirm the EU steadfast commitment to upholding the Status Quo of the Holy Sites, including historic Jordanian custodianship," Josep Borrell wrote on X, expressing his strong rejection of provocations, hate speech and incitement to war crimes by some Israeli ministers.

On Tuesday, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex along with more than 2,000 radical Israelis.

In a video, Ben-Gvir said: “Our policy is to enable Jewish prayer.”

Borrell said: "We expect PM (Benjamin) Netanyahu, beyond his refutation of Minister (Itamar) Ben Gvir provocation, to prevent further violations."

Borrell and Safadi also discussed the “ongoing mediation for a cease-fire, a priority to put an end to the suffering of Palestinian civilians and get to the release of the hostages,” the EU foreign policy chief added.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered the third-holiest site in Islam. Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount, believing it to be the location of two ancient Jewish temples.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. In 1980, Israel annexed the entire city, a move that has never been recognized by the international community.