Israel court orders closure of building at tense Jerusalem holy site

An Israeli court on Sunday ordered the temporary closure of a side building at a highly sensitive Jerusalem holy site that has been the source of tensions in recent weeks.

The Jerusalem magistrates court said the building known as the Golden Gate at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, should be closed while the case continues.

The site's administrator, the Waqf religious organisation, was given 60 days to respond to the court case involving the building.

Israeli police have called for the building to be closed.

Waqf spokesman Firas Dibs said it did not intend to abide by the court's decision, adding that the building remained open on Sunday.

Jordan, the custodian of the holy site, condemned the court ruling, with its foreign ministry adding that Israel would bear "full responsibility for the dangerous consequences" of the decision.

There are believed to be discussions ongoing between Israel and Jordan over the status of the building.

There have in recent ...