Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last night urged all Muslims to visit and protect Jerusalem after violence broke out over metal detectors that Israel installed and later removed from the Al-Aqsa mosque.
“From here I make a call to all Muslims. Anyone who has the opportunity should visit Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa mosque,” Mr Erdogan said in Ankara. “Come, let’s all protect Jerusalem.”
The removal of the devices yesterday followed the resolution of a 24-hour diplomatic standoff with Jordan over a deadly shooting at the Israeli embassy in the kingdom, suggesting a broader deal had been struck.
Israeli embassy staff, including the security guard who killed two Jordanians after being attacked by one with a screwdriver, returned to Israel yesterday.
Jordan initially said the guard could not leave without an investigation, while Israel said he had diplomatic immunity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jordan’s King Abdullah II spoke by phone yesterday to discuss the crises, including the tensions over the 15ha sacred esplanade in Jerusalem’s Old City.
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