Jordan MPs vote to expel Israeli ambassador, recall Jordanian envoy to Israel

AMMAN, Jordan – Jordan's parliament has voted unanimously to expel the Israeli ambassador and recall its own envoy, after Israeli lawmakers debated whether to take over a Jerusalem holy site administered by Jordanians.

The vote by acclamation Wednesday in the 150-seat parliament is not binding to the Cabinet, which is keen to maintain diplomatic ties with Israel.

The discussion initiated Tuesday by the Likud Party's Moshe Feiglin asks whether the Jewish state should wrest control of Muslim holy shrines from Jordan, which was given a "special" role over the area in a 1994 peace treaty with Israel. The debate ended without a vote.

A Jordanian Cabinet official said no action regarding parliament's call is expected before the outcome of the Israeli Knesset debate. He insisted on anonymity, citing the matter's sensitivity.