By Anadolu staff
AMMAN, Jordan (AA) - Jordan on Tuesday condemned the illegal Israeli settlers storming into Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in the occupied East Jerusalem, during which a settler raised an Israeli flag in the mosque's courtyards.
In a statement, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said the settlers' storming into the mosque and waving of the Israeli flag "are blatant and unacceptable violations of international law and the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its sanctities."
The statement called on Israel, as the occupying power, "to cease all practices and violations against the Al-Aqsa Mosque and to respect its sanctity."
Following calls by extremist Israeli groups, illegal settlers stormed into the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex to mark Israel's independence day event during which one Israeli stormed into the mosque holding an Israeli flag.
Since 2003, Israel has allowed illegal settlers into the flashpoint compound on an almost daily basis with the exception of Fridays and Saturdays.
Al Aqsa Mosque is the world's third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area the Temple Mount, saying it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. It annexed the entire city in 1980 in a move never recognized by the international community.
* Writing by Ahmed Asmar.