King Abdullah featured next to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque in new Jordan banknote

The Central Bank of Jordan has revealed new dinar banknotes, one of which bears the image of King Abdullah II next to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

The new 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Jordanian dinar (JOD) banknotes will be put into circulation at a later date, according to the central bank, however the new 1 dinar note already began circulating since 26 December.

The Jordanian sovereign’s image next to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem is on the 50 JOD bill.

"فئات أوراق النقد الأردني/ الإصدار الخامس..." pic.twitter.com/btCCA4cJ5f

— البنك المركزي الأردني – Central Bank of Jordan (@CentralBank_JO) January 7, 2023

It comes at a time of heightened tensions between Jordan and Israel, as the latter’s new far-right government threatens to change the status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The decades-old status quo allows only Muslims to worship at the compound – Islam’s third holiest site - which is managed by the Jordanian-affiliated Islamic Waqf.

Amman has increasingly raised concerns over Israel’s attempts to alter the situation and allow Jewish prayers and rituals at the site. King Abdullah has warned Israel of "crossing red lines," saying that Amman is ready for conflict.

Extremist settlers have already stormed the compound multiple times since Israel's new government was announced late last month, including once by Israel’s controversial new National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir earlier this week.

The Jordanian central bank announced in a statement on Saturday evening that the latest issue, the first after nearly 20 years, includes better security features and quality that will allow the bills to last longer.

They will still feature the images of previous Jordan sovereigns.

Jordan’s currency is among the strongest in the world, but Jordanians have long complained of difficult socioeconomic conditions.