An Israeli court has ruled that it is not a ‘criminal act’ for Jewish worshippers to perform silent prayer within the Al-Aqsa Mosque premises — a move that has been denounced by Muslim organisations.

Leading the condemnations is the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, which has control over the site and is managed by the country Jordan. It stressed that the Waqf held the sole legal authority to administer the affairs of al-Aqsa.

“The decision is a serious violation of the historical and legal status of al-Aqsa Mosque,” Jordan’s foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement.

The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Yousef Al-Othaimeen said the decision “constitutes a grave violation of international law, international humanitarian law and relevant UN resolutions.”

While Jewish worshippers are allowed to access the Al Aqsa area, they are not allowed to pray in the compound. They are however allowed to pray at the nearby western wall.

Al-Aqsa is the third holiest site for Muslims and many in Palestine fear plans of a takeover or a partition.