Jordan warns Israel changing Al-Aqsa status quo 'will strain ties'

Jordanian officials have warned the incoming Israeli government not to change the status quo around the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem, according to Israeli media. 

Israel went to the polls this month with former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies set to take power.

Jordan fears that a new hardline government could interfere with the status of Al-Aqsa, which remains a Muslim place of worship.

"Any attempt to change the status quo on the Temple Mount [Al-Aqsa complex] will definitely harm ties between Jordan and Israel," Israeli media outlet Kan quoted a Jordanian source saying.

Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud Party gained the most seats during the recently-concluded Israeli election and is widely expected to form a governing coalition alongside the extremist Religious Zionism party and other far-right groups. 

If successful, he will likely forge the most right-wing coalition in Israel’s history, which could lead to more attacks and oppression against Palestinians. 

Amman is the custodian of the Al-Aqsa complex, home to Islam’s third holiest site.

Netanyahu’s likely coalition partner Itamar Ben Gvir is an extremist settler who has led his followers to rampage through Palestinian towns.

Ben Gvir has also stormed the Al-Aqsa complex and provoked Palestinians there in the past. He has long advocated for a change in the status quo, which at the moment allows Muslims to enter the complex and pray at the site but not Jews. 

Israeli forces continue to commit widespread crimes against the Palestinians, who are subject to a system of oppression and apartheid. They have stormed the holy complex multiple times in recent months, such as in April this year when they left at least 152 Palestinians injured. 

Israel has illegally occupied the West Bank since 1967, where it has expanded illegal settlements, detained thousands of Palestinians, and launched countless deadly raids across the Palestinian territories.

This year is on course to be the deadliest year for Palestinians since 2005.