Reminder - 2016 Jordan changes mind and refuses to install surveillance
cameras at Al-Aqsa

#1 Jordan prepares to install surveillance cameras at Al-Aqsa
Saturday, April 2, 2016

[IMRA: While in the case of the Al-Aqsa Mosque cameras were not going to be
installed inside the mosque itself, there is absolutely NO religious
prohibition on having a live feed from within the mosque.
Click on the live cam URL below to watch activity at the mosque in Medina -
Saudi Arabia - a location HOLIER than Al-Aqsa for Islam.
https://youtu.be/b0P-lG1H544
and Mecca
https://youtu.be/VhzT7aCUvQs ]

Jordan prepares to install surveillance cameras at Al-Aqsa
April 2, 2016 1:39 P.M. (Updated: April 2, 2016 8:48 P.M.)
http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=770954

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Jordan has begun preparations to install 55 cameras at
the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, after months of contentious arguments over
their installation appeared to be resolved.

Jordanian Minister of Endowment Hayil Daoud told the Jordanian al-Ghad
newspaper Saturday that the ministry had reviewed all technical procedures
before preparing the infrastructure for the installation.

The cameras are expected to be mounted on walls around the compound in order
to document violations and raids carried out by the Israeli authorities,
Daoud said.

The minister said the cameras would help Jordan politically, diplomatically
and legally by providing material documentation of Israeli violations that
could potentially be presented in court.

The cameras -- which will roll 24 hours a day seven days a week -- are
expected to be fully controlled and monitored by the ministry, Dauod said,
adding that the project was being implemented with the cooperation of
Palestinian leadership.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas late last month met with Jordan's Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Amman, where he said he
supported any decisions Jordan made with regard to Al-Aqsa and the
installation of cameras in particular.

Surveillance cameras in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound have been the subject of
tense discussions between Israel and Jordan, the official custodian of
Muslim holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem, for months.

In October, Israel and Jordan, under mediation by the United States, agreed
to install surveillance cameras across the mosque compound in a bid to ease
tensions that began across the occupied Palestinian territories around that
time.

Tensions were triggered in part by increased visitation to the holy site by
far-right extremists accompanied by armed Israeli forces. Such visits often
coincide with prevention of Palestinian access to the site.

Israeli police prevented the Islamic Endowment that runs the Al-Aqsa Mosque
compound from installing surveillance cameras around the holy site later
that month, claiming that an official agreement concerning their
installation had not yet been reached.

The installation of the cameras has raised major concern among a number of
Palestinians that the Israeli authorities -- who will also have access to
the surveillance footage -- will use the cameras against Palestinians.

In October, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki called the plan "a
new trap" to identify and detain worshippers at Al-Aqsa Israel believes to
be "inciting" against it.

Palestinian Knesset member Basel Ghattas of the Arab Joint List also opposed
the decision, saying it was made with the intention of securing Israeli
control over the holy site.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound lies under Israeli military occupation, and
while control of the mosque officially falls under Jordanian guardianship,
Palestinians fear that increased presence of Israeli security forces around
the site marks a potential move by Israel to renege on past agreements for
the holy site.


#2. Tuesday, April 19, 2016 PM: Jordan cancels plan to install cameras in
Al Aqsa Mosque

PM: Jordan cancels plan to install cameras in Al Aqsa Mosque
http://www.petra.gov.jo/Public_News/Nws_NewsDetails.aspx?lang=2&site_id=1&NewsID=249349&CatID=13

Amman, Aril 18 (Petra)--Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said that Jordan has
always been, and will remain the staunchest supporter and defender of
Palestine, its people and cause as well as its holy shrines.

Ensour added in a statement to Jordan News Agency, Petra, on Monday that,
"stemming from this historic stance, the main objective behind Jordan's
decision to install surveillance cameras at Haram Al Sharif compound and not
inside the mosque, was to monitor and document the continued Israeli
violations against Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, which extends over an
area of 144 dunums.

The objective of installing these cameras, he added was to gain legal,
political and media advantages in the face of the continued Israeli
practices against the sanctity of the holy places, and enable Muslims around
the world to follow what is happening in the courtyards of Al Aqsa Mosque
and increase their sympathy and support to it. "At the beginning, Israel
tried to hinder the project through various means, but we were able to
overcome that," Ensour added.

"However, we were surprised since our intention to carry out the project, by
the response of some of our Palestinian brethren to the project, adding that
they voiced their concern and cast doubt on its aims and objectives. As we
respect the points of views of our brethren in Palestine in general and in
Jerusalem in particular, and because we always affirm our full support to
the Palestinians and their aspirations at all times, we found that this
project is a point of contentious and therefore, we decided to halt its
implementation."

The prime minister reiterated Jordan's constant stance in defending
Jerusalem and its holy shrines at all diplomatic, legal and media levels.

//Petra//
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