“Jordan’s Administration of Jerusalem’s Awqaf and al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs, according to international law and the historical and legal status quo, is the authority that has exclusive jurisdiction to run all the affairs of al-Haram al-Sharif and regulate entry and exist of people at the holy site,” the foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The foreign ministry reiterated the kingdom’s rejection of any attempt to change the historical and legal status quo at the holy Aqsa Mosque.

“Al-Maghariba Gate and the route leading to it is an integral part of the holy Aqsa mosque / al-Haram al-Sharif, and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, has confirmed that and the fact that al-Maghariba Gate is like the other gates of the Aqsa Mosque.”

“The israeli authorities has been seizing the key to al-Maghariba Gate since 1967 and appropriating the Awqaf Administration’s right to regulate the entry of non-Muslim tourists with tickets issued by the Awqaf of Jerusalem since 2000 in grave violation of the status quo,” the ministry underscored, asserting its determination to regain its right in this regard.

“The Kingdom, based on the Hashemite custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, will continue its efforts to protect and take care of the Mosque and preserve the right of all Muslims to it,” the foreign ministry emphasized.