The Israel Police on Tuesday described as “fake news” reports that the Jordanian ambassador to Israel was prevented from ascending the Temple Mount on Tuesday.

According to police, Ghassan Majali had attempted to visit the site without prior coordination and was not immediately recognized by officers, causing a “very small” delay while authorities looked into the matter.

Majali subsequently walked off angrily.

Jordan has since summoned Israeli Ambassador to Amman Eitan Surkis over the incident.

The police released this message:

Clarification in the following for press inquiries and incorrect publications:

A short time ago, the director of the Jordanian Waqf together with the Israeli ambassador to Jordan arrived at the Temple Mount without any prior coordination with the police. A police officer who noticed them and did not recognize the personality or knew of the expected visit, informed his commander, waited to receive instructions, and for this purpose delayed their entry into the Temple Mount area for a very short time.

Contrary to erroneous publications, the ambassador's entry was not prevented, but he was the one who decided at a certain stage to leave the place on his own initiative, in the process of the police officer updating his commander and receiving appropriate instructions. If he had waited a few more seconds he would have entered the Temple Mount area.

We note that a preliminary coordination procedure with the police as usual would have prevented any delay in the ambassador's entry to the Temple Mount, and we are sorry for false publications in relation to this case.