The warning from Amman, reported on by the Kan public broadcaster Sunday, underscored the potential diplomatic pitfalls awaiting Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu should he take power backed by far-right hardliners, as expected.
There is particular sensitivity around Israel’s ties with neighbor Jordan, which is custodian of the Temple Mount, setting up a potential clash with lawmakers from Netanyahu’s presumptive coalition who have pushed for Israel to assert its sovereignty over the Jerusalem holy site and allow greater Jewish freedom of religion.
“Any attempt to change the status quo on the Temple Mount will definitely harm ties between Jordan and Israel,” Kan quoted a Jordanian source saying.
The source took specific aim at Itamar Ben Gvir, the head of the extremist Otzma Yehudit party set to become part of the ruling coalition, who has made a point of touring the site during times of increased tensions. READ MORE
