Jordan shuts holy site after visit by Israeli tourists

Jordan has closed an ancient holy site near the major tourist attraction of Petra after photos emerged online showing Israeli tourists praying there.

Waqf minister Abdul Nasser Musa Abu al-Basal said that the decision was taken after video footage showed Israeli tourists performing religious rituals at the Tomb of Aaron, or Jabal Haroun, holy to both Muslims and Jews.

The Jordanian minister said the visit by hundreds of Israeli pilgrims was not coordinated with local authorities.

An investigation will be opened into how the Israelis were able to enter the shrine and perform "Talmudic religious ceremonies," Jordanian media reported.

Jordanian social media users and lawmakers were outraged by the visit.

An Israeli tour guide with the group denounced their treatment by Jordanian authorities, saying the visit had been coordinated beforehand.

Jordan is one of only two Arab countries to have a peace treaty with Israel, with tens of thousands of Israeli tourists visiting the country each year.

According to tradition, Aaron is the brother of the Prophet Moses, revered by Muslims, Jews and Christians.

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