Israel
Jordan refuses to let injured Israeli embassy official leave the country
Security official was stabbed by attacker who had entered Amman embassy
July 24, 2017 08:45
Security official was stabbed by attacker who had entered Amman embassy
July 24, 2017 08:45Jordan is stopping a security guard who was attacked at the Israeli embassy in Amman from leaving the country until the incident is investigated.
The attacker was shot after stabbing the high-ranking Israeli official.
Following an emergency meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, Israel decided to evacuate its staff from the premises over fears the incident would lead to riots and further attempts to attack the embassy.
However, Jordanian officials will not allow the security guard to leave the country and have called for an investigation into the incident, which took place on Sunday.
Israel says the guard has diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention and has refused to allow an investigation his actions.
Jordan is one of the only Arab nations to have an Israeli embassy.
There have been demonstrations across the Arab world at what has been labelled as Israel’s “encroachment” on Temple Mount by putting metal detectors at the entrances to the holy site.
The additional safety measure was put in place by Israel after Arab gunmen descended from the Temple Mount towards Lion’s Gate and shot two Israeli police officers.
There have been particularly vociferous protests in Jordan. The country has a significant Palestinian minority, and has official custody over the Temple Mount under a 1994 agreement, controlling the Islamic Waqf, which runs the site.
Senior Jordanian Ministers have criticised Israel for what they have described as “unprecedented Israeli violations and provocations against Al Aqsa”.
Israel has responded by pointing out that mosques around the world – including Mecca - have metal detectors installed at entrances for security purposes.
Three Palestinians were killed during demonstrations on Friday morning, while on Friday night a Palestinian terrorist murdered three people eating their Shabbat dinner. The terrorist was shot, but is alive and in Israeli custody.
