U.S. and Israel Reportedly Move to End Jordan’s Al‑Aqsa Custodianship

The reported plan would replace the Jordan‑backed Waqf with an Israeli‑aligned governing body and threatens the treaty status that has governed Jerusalem’s holy sites.

Overview

A Monday report by Middle East Eye quoted multiple anonymous US, Jordanian, Palestinian, western and Gulf sources saying Washington and Jerusalem are actively working on a proposal to remove Jordan’s custodianship of the Al‑Aqsa/Temple Mount compound.
Sources told the outlet that Jared Kushner is championing the idea and that US Ambassador Mike Huckabee has pressed Washington to advance a draft plan that would declare Al‑Aqsa a “multi‑faith centre” and expand Jewish prayer rights.
Officials said a US‑drafted paper envisions ending the Islamic Waqf’s authority, giving Israel a role in appointing imams and approving sermon content, and permitting organized large‑group Jewish prayer on the site.
Jordan and Waqf officials have publicly rejected the report, cited Article 9 of the 1994 Jordan‑Israel peace treaty to defend Hashemite custodianship, and begun seeking regional backing to block any change.
The report says Gulf states including Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco and the UAE were briefed while Saudi Arabia opposes the plan, and Jordanian and Palestinian leaders warn the move could spark diplomatic and security fallout given the long‑standing 1967 status quo.