(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Yoni Ben Menachem - According to senior figures in the Fatah movement, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan have begun cooperation in anticipation of the new U.S. peace plan known as the "Deal of the Century." On Feb. 14, the Jordanian government approved the expansion of the Council of the Islamic Wakf and the Holy Places in Jerusalem from 11 to 18 members. For the first time, the council - which was manned by pro-Jordanian figures - will include senior figures connected to the PA and Fatah. Senior elements in Fatah call Jordan's agreement a "historic change" aimed at enabling joint control of the Mount. Jordan has special status on the Mount, and the 1994 peace treaty with Israel makes it the custodian of the Jerusalem holy places. According to senior Fatah sources, the Jordanians and Palestinians fear that Trump's plan seeks to transfer responsibility for the Holy Basin in east Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount, to joint Arab administration and give Saudi Arabia a special status at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The expansion of the Wakf council was aimed to scuttle the move and establish facts on the ground.
2019-02-19 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive