UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Jordan's Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs Ayman Safadi have called for immediate and complete re-opening of Al Aqsa Mosque in Israel for worshippers. Both leaders stressed that Israel must respect the status quo of the holy places there.<br/><br/>According to the UAE's official news agency WAM, the two ministers discussed on phone the efforts exerted to end tension and restore calm in Al-Aqsa Mosque/Haram Al-Sharif in accordance with principles that protect the holy places and safeguard their security and stability.<br/><br/>Sheikh Abdullah and Safadi reiterated that it was important for the international community to exert immediate and effective efforts to de-escalate the tension in Al-Aqsa Mosque, by obliging Israel to honour its legal and international commitments and end its unilateral actions.<br/><br/>Israel and Palestinians are close to a showdown over Israel's decision to install a metal detector at the entrance of the Mosque following a shooting incident at the site last week , which killed five people including two Israeli police officials .<br/><br/>Israeli authorities say that the metal detectors are important to protect the worshippers. A government statement said that "Israel is committed to maintain the statusquo and freedom of access to the holy sites" and "to protecting the safety of all worshippers and visitors".<br/><br/>Al Aqsa Mosque is one of the holy sites for Sunni Muslims located in the old city of Jerusalem. It is revered both by the Muslims and the Jews.<br/><br/>Meanwhile , according to reports , Palestine has said that they would 'freeze contact on all levels' with Israel until newly installed metal detectors are removed from the entrance of the Mosque.<br/><br/>
