Israel sent a strongly worded message to Jordan, but says it has no intention of souring relations with the Hashemite Kingdom. Photo: worldflagpins.com.

Israel has set a message to Jordan decrying recent statements made by King Abdullah II on Israel’s policies in Jerusalem, and accusing the Hashemite Kingdom of bearing responsibility for the unrest in the capital, Israel’s Channel 2 News reported on Monday.

The Jordanian monarch recently criticized Israel for “provoking conflict” and “threatening the Al-Aqsa Mosque,” saying that its behavior would harm relations between the two countries and negatively affect regional stability.

Israel’s strongly worded response, delivered by and to high diplomatic channels, asserted, “It was the Waqf Authorities — for which Jordan is responsible — who allowed Palestinian rioters to embed themselves in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, armed with rocks, firecrackers and Molotov cocktails, in violation of the status quo.”

The communique from Jerusalem also called on King Abdullah to acknowledge Jordan’s  involvement in the escalation of tensions. “Do not shirk your responsibility,”it warned.

A senior Israeli source clarified, however, that Israel has no intention to create friction in its relationship with Jordan. Having said this, he added, “With all of the sensitivities [on this issue] in Arab public opinion, it is not possible to lodge serious accusations against Israel and then avoid personality responsibility for maintaining peace and quiet on the Temple Mount.”