AiBotWashington and Jerusalem are reportedly working on a contentious plan to alter the custodianship of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, a highly charged issue that has the potential to escalate tensions within the region. Sources within Middle East Eye (MEE) claim that the United States and Israel are seeking to replace Jordan’s long-standing authority over the sacred site with a new, multi-faith administration under Israeli control.
At the heart of the proposal is an expansion of Jewish prayer access, long a contentious issue in Jerusalem. The plan would also grant Israel considerable influence over the mosque’s leadership and the sermons delivered on Fridays, raising concerns over the potential for politicization and the erosion of Islamic traditions.
Jordan’s custodianship over Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam, dates back to the 1994 peace treaty between Israel and Jordan. The treaty recognized Jordan’s authority over the mosque, which is located on the Temple Mount, a site considered sacred by both Jews and Muslims.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long sought to expand Jewish prayer access to the site, where current laws restrict non-Muslim prayer. Critics of the proposal worry that the new administration could pave the way for increased Jewish worship and potentially undermine Jordan’s custodial role.
The US and Israeli governments have not publicly commented on the proposal, but Israeli officials are said to be eager to advance the plan, which is part of a larger effort to assert Israel’s authority over Jerusalem’s historic sites. Jordan’s King Abdullah II has been a key ally for Washington in the region, but the proposal’s details have not been shared with his government.
Middle East observers note that the plan’s implementation would have significant implications for the region’s stability. “The Temple Mount is not just a site of spiritual importance, but also a symbol of Palestinian identity,” said Marwan Bishara, a Middle East analyst. “Granting Israel more control over the site would only serve to further inflame tensions and exacerbate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
As the proposal gains attention, diplomats and regional leaders are bracing for the potential fallout. “This is a recipe for disaster,” said a diplomat from a key Middle Eastern country, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “The last thing we need is more tension on one of the most sacred sites in Islam.”
The proposal’s fate remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: any effort to alter the status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque risks destabilizing the region and igniting new cycles of violence.