Warnings of an Israeli-American Plan to End Hashemite Guardianship over Al-Aqsa: Is Confrontation Approaching?

British writer and political commentator Peter Oborne highlighted the systematic Israeli escalation towards the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, warning of attempts to undermine the historical 'Status Quo' arrangements. Oborne pointed out in an analytical article that current Israeli endeavors are directly supported by influential figures in American circles close to Donald Trump, which puts the Hashemite guardianship at risk.

Analytical insight suggests that targeting the Noble Sanctuary goes beyond being a localized conflict; rather, it represents a threat that could open the door to a comprehensive religious confrontation in the Middle East. The writer believes that Israel has for decades been gradually tightening its grip on the site, citing Ariel Sharon's storming of the compound in 2000 as the beginning of the de facto seizure policy whose chapters we witness today.

Legally and legitimately, Jordanian monarch King Abdullah II is responsible for the maintenance and security of Al-Aqsa Mosque, but field practices reflect a different reality. Field sources reported that Israeli security forces have begun to interfere in the most minute construction and administrative details within the compound, including preventing simple renovation work without prior permission.

Recent press reports revealed a conspiracy led by parties in Washington and Tel Aviv aimed at stripping the Jordanian royal family of its historical role in Jerusalem. This plan, promoted by Jared Kushner and Ambassador Mike Huckabee, includes granting Israel the authority to appoint imams and control the content of Friday sermons, which is a blatant violation of Jordanian sovereignty.

These Israeli moves are based on the precedent of dividing the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, a model that the far-right, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, seeks to replicate in Al-Aqsa. Ben-Gvir, who considers the terrorist Baruch Goldstein a hero, carries out repeated incursions aimed at imposing a new reality that paves the way for the construction of the alleged 'Third Temple' on the ruins of the Dome of the Rock.

The doctrine of the Israeli internal security service 'Shin Bet' has changed under pressure from Netanyahu's right-wing government, with the agency beginning to align with the aspirations of the religious right. Reports indicated that the new head of the agency, David Zini, showed symbolic signs supporting Jewish control over 'Temple Mount,' ending decades of security caution regarding provoking Muslims.

In the face of these transgressions, the Jordanian monarch faces immense pressure to take a decisive stance that goes beyond the usual diplomatic protest statements. Despite Jordan's economic and security reliance on some agreements, any harm to Al-Aqsa affects the legitimacy of the Hashemite regime, which derives from its prophetic lineage and its historical role in protecting holy sites.

The 'White Paper' issued by Jordan years ago confirms that defending Al-Aqsa Mosque is an 'individual obligation' for every Muslim, and grants the King the right to declare a 'just war.' The document clarifies that the Hashemites have not relinquished a single inch of the 144-dunam area of the sanctuary, and that they are prepared to sacrifice everything to protect it.

Informed sources indicate that King Abdullah II sent clear messages to Washington and Tel Aviv in February 2025, confirming his country's readiness for military confrontation. This threat came in response to Israeli proposals regarding the forced displacement of Palestinians, reflecting Amman's seriousness in protecting its national security and holy sites.

Jordan possesses strategic cards of strength in any potential confrontation, most notably the long and extended border of 400 kilometers with Israel. This border is characterized by rugged mountainous terrain that makes Israeli security control over it almost impossible in the absence of Jordanian security coordination, opening the door to a long guerrilla war.

The Jordanian street is in a state of boiling over due to the genocide in Gaza and the continuous violations in the West Bank, which increases popular pressure on the leadership. Jordanians, including Palestinian refugees, feel a historical responsibility towards Jerusalem, making any military action in defense of Al-Aqsa enjoy broad national consensus.

Experts believe that Israel and the United States may misjudge the Jordanian position, believing that economic pressures will force the King to submit. However, history proves that issues of identity and religion in the region transcend material calculations, and the King may find in confrontation a means to ensure the survival of his legitimacy and his throne against expansionist ambitions.

Sheikh Azzam Al-Khatib, Director of Islamic Endowments in Jerusalem, warned that harming the Hashemite guardianship is harming the faith of two billion Muslims around the world. Al-Khatib stressed that the Hashemites, as descendants of the Prophet, will never allow the identity of Al-Aqsa Mosque to be changed, warning that any change in the Status Quo will ignite a global religious war.

Ultimately, King Abdullah II finds himself facing an existential choice between accepting the fait accompli imposed by the Trump and Netanyahu administrations, or engaging in an unequal confrontation. The future of the entire region, not just the Hashemite dynasty, depends on how this conflict over the holiest Islamic sites in occupied Palestine is managed.

God forbid, if Israel changes the Status Quo, it will lead to a religious war that will extend far beyond Al-Aqsa Mosque.