Tensions are still running high between Israel and Jordan following the shooting death of a Jordanian national, a judge, who tried to grab an IDF soldier’s weapon at the Allenby Crossing to that country. The matter is under investigation.

Adding to Israel’s diplomatic challenges with Amman was the recent visit to Har Habayis by Housing Minister (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel. Ariel visited the holy site on Sunday night erev Shushan Purim 5774. Photos of the minister’s visit found their way to the media very quickly, leading to anger among top state officials including Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. The minister reports that he did not bring the media with him.

It is reported that security officials warned the minister that such a visit at this time might precipitate Islamic violence, but he reportedly insisted and ignored their warning and request. It did not take long for Jordan to express its anger and displeasure over the visit as the matter of sovereignty of the holy site remains high on the agenda of the Bayit Yehudi party.

Following the fatal terror attack, President Peres was quick to apologize, releasing the following statement. “On behalf of the State of Israel, I wish to express my deepest condolences to the people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the death of Judge Raed Zeiter at the King Hussein Bridge on March 10th. As the President of the State of Israel I would like to express compassion to the bereaved family, I share in their grief. Earlier today I conducted an important conversation with His Majesty King Abdullah II and expressed our deep regret to him. We discussed the importance of achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians based on two states for two peoples. We further discussed the urgent need to bring an end to the bloodshed in the Middle East and advance a future of stability and prosperity for all the people of our region. Peace and cooperation with all our neighbors remains Israel’s highest hope. Israel attaches great importance to our relations with Jordan and the peace agreement between our two countries. King Abdullah II is a leader of vision, and under his leadership Jordan plays a key role in the search for peace and stability in the Middle East. Israel agreed to the Jordanian request to establish a joint Israeli-Jordanian team to complete the investigation and their work has begun.”

In response to Ariel’s visit to Har Habayis MK Rabbi Moshe Gafne stated “Ariel does not seem bothered by the prohibition and kores. Of late we have seen that he does not care about harming the Torah and now we see he does not care if his actions result in bloodshed.” Gafne added that chareidi Jewry condemns visits to Har Habayis.

Speaking to Razi Barkai of Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) on Tuesday, 16 Adar II, Ariel was asked “What are you looking for on Har Habayis?”

In his response he stated “Excuse me but what kind of question is this? What do you look for in Tel Aviv? The saying Har Habayis is in our hands is not just a slogan but actuality.”

Galei Tzahal:

Yes but look at your timing. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) is in Washington and we are aware of the situation regarding Jordan. You are a cabinet minister in Israel and not just a private citizen.

Ariel:

I am taken aback by your question. I visit without media presence. I go because I believe in it and not a provocation. The provocation is from Arabs who play soccer there and throw rocks at us and at police. That is the provocation. When you visit the Galil and are attacked with rocks it is not viewed as a provocation and the attacker is arrested and imprisoned. This is what must occur on Har Habayis and this is not a question of provocation.

MK Rabbi Yaakov Asher added to the condemnatory statements against Ariel “I would expect that Minister Ariel is brave and determined regarding issues that are truly importation, like preserving the character of the State of Israel as a Jewish country and halting anti-religious legislation which has accompanied this administration that he is a partner in just like his promises there would not be criminal sanctions in the draft law.”

Yaakov added that instead of this, Ariel opts for a provocative act for the media that seeks to hide his role in an administration that releases terrorists with blood on their hands and has almost all construction in yishuvim in Yehuda and Shomron due to America’s veto”. Asher believes such acts are simply an attempt by Ariel to justify his continued role in the government.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)