Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew to Jordan today (Tuesday), to meet with King Abdullah II.
The two leaders discussed regional issues, especially strategic, security and economic cooperation between Israel and Jordan, which contributes to regional stability.
They also praised the long-standing friendship and partnership between Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom.
The head of the ISA, the head of the National Security Council, the military secretary to the Prime Minister, and the Minister of strategic affairs Ron Dermer took part in the meeting as well. Netanyahu assured King Abdullah that the status quo on the Temple Mount would be maintained.
According to a Jordanian press release, the King of Jordan stressed to Netanyahu that "the historical and legal status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque must be respected."
This is Netanyahu's first public visit to Jordan since June 2018. The visit comes amid tensions between Jordan and Israel surrounding the visit by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to the Temple Mount about two weeks ago, and the incident that occurred last week when the Jordanian ambassador was detained at the entrance to the Temple Mount.
Ambassador Rasan Al-Majali attempted to enter the Temple Mount complex through the Lions' Gate but was delayed at the entrance. At first it was claimed that because of this he abandoned his attempt to gain entry as a sign of protest. It was later clarified that he was granted entry to the Temple Mount, and prayed in the mosque for approximately three hours.
According to a Jordanian TV channel, local security officials demanded that the ambassador present identification, and when he did not comply, they prevented him from entering. Israel denied these allegations. It was later reported that the Israeli ambassador to Jordan had been summoned for a conversation in Amman.
The Israel Police commented that "the director of the Jordanian Waqf, together with the Jordanian ambassador to Israel, arrived a short time ago at the Temple Mount, without any prior coordination with the police. A police officer who noticed them and did not recognize them or know of the expected visit informed his commander, waited to receive instructions, and prevented their entry for a very short time into the Temple Mount complex." The police also said that "contrary to erroneous publications, the ambassador's entry was not prevented. He was the one who decided at a certain point to leave the place on his own initiative, while the policeman was updating his commander and receiving appropriate instructions. If he had waited a few more seconds, he would have been permitted entry to the Temple Mount."
The police added that "a preliminary coordination procedure with the police as usual would have prevented any delay in the ambassador's entry to the Temple Mount, and we are sorry for false publications regarding this case."