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Jordan says no to surveillance cameras on Temple Mount

Jill Biden, wife of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, visits Jerusalem's Old City on March 9, 2010. On the right, the Dome of the Rock Mosque, in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, or Temple Mount and the Wailing Wall (R-bottom). UPI/Gali Tibbon/Pool
Jill Biden, wife of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, visits Jerusalem's Old City on March 9, 2010. On the right, the Dome of the Rock Mosque, in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, or Temple Mount and the Wailing Wall (R-bottom). UPI/Gali Tibbon/Pool | License Photo

AMMAN, Jordan, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Jordan is demanding Israel remove electronic surveillance cameras installed on the Temple Mount, saying they violate the freedom of worship, officials said.

Jordan does not accept that Israel has set up a police station inside the Jerusalem compound. It is a flagrant military violation of the freedom of worshipers as well as interference in the affairs of the Jordanian Islamic waqf [Islamic endowment]," Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad Momani told the official state news agency Petra Tuesday.

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"Israel should not ignore Jordan's diplomatic efforts to stop violation of the al-Aksa mosque compound. Jordan will not stop efforts to prevent Israel from imposing a new status quo in Jerusalem," he said.

Momani said the surveillance cameras were installed by Israel on Dec. 8. He said Jordan's ambassador in Tel Aviv had informed Israeli government authorities of its objection. Israel has yet to respond to Jordan's request.

The Temple Mount, sacred to both Muslims and Jews has been the scene of violent protests.

Jordan, which signed a peace agreement with Israel in 1994, is the custodian of Muslim sites in Jerusalem.

The Temple Mount is considered a holy place to Muslims and Jews. The al-Aksa mosque complex, known as al-Haram al-Sharif, located on the Temple Mount is a Muslim prayer site. Jews are permitted to visit areas of the Temple Mount under police escort but are forbidden from praying there.

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