Jordan’s King Thanks President Trump for U.S. Role in Har HaBayis Crisis

Jordan’s King Abdullah II has told President Donald Trump that further coordination is important to prevent renewed tensions over Har HaBayis.

The Royal Court says the monarch also told PresidentTrump in a phone call Friday that he valued the “key role” the U.S played in defusing the latest crisis.

Abdullah told Trump it is important to maintain the status quo at the site, a frequent flashpoint of Israeli-Palestinian tensions.

Jordan serves as custodian of the site.

The last vestige of a promise of advanced security at Har HaBayis were removed early Thursday, after other security measures installed two weeks ago after the terror attack on Har HaBayis were removed earlier in the week.

Police said Thursday that the security situation at Har HaBayis had reverted to that two weeks ago, before the murders of Israeli police officers Ha’il Satawi and Kamil Shanan in the Har HaBayis terror attack.

Despite predictions of heavy rioting on Friday, Yerushalayim remained calm, as some 10,000 Arabs entered the Har HaBayis compound to visit the Al Aqsa mosque. Police in the morning had allowed access to the site only to males over 50, and all females, while younger Arab males conducted prayers outside the Old City walls. Those prayers also went smoothly, with worshippers dispersing quietly after prayers.

Meanwhile, Jordan has given Israel the results of its investigation into the shooting of two Jordanians by an Israeli Embassy guard.

The state news agency Petra said Friday that the file was handed over after Jordan’s attorney general filed murder charges against the guard and called on Israel to put him on trial.

Jordanian authorities have said that in Sunday’s incident, the guard opened fire after a 16-year-old attacked him with a screw driver. A Jordanian standing near the teen was also killed.

The guard, along with the rest of the embassy staff, returned to Israel under the protection of diplomatic immunity.

Police said that the security guard is to be questioned by Israeli police. Police said in a statement that the questioning is required under international law, as the security guard was sent back home Monday after Israel claimed that he was covered by diplomatic immunity.

Under international laws and covering diplomatic immunity, Israel is required to question the guard. The transcript and findings of the interrogation will be forwarded to Jordan. He could be prosecuted in Israel if police find cause to do so, police said.