Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu was born on October 21, 1949 in Tel Aviv, Israel. He is an Israeli politician and made a surprise visit to Jordan today to meet with King Abdullah II.

This is his first visit since he headed the most right-wing and religiously conservative government in Israel's history, the Associated Press reported.

A statement from Jordanian officials said the unusual meeting between the two leaders, who have long had a strained relationship, focused primarily on the sensitive issue of the status of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City.

The complex - the third holiest site for Muslims - is located on a vast plateau that also houses the iconic golden Dome of the Rock.

The site, which Jews call the Temple Mount, is revered by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary.

Jordan's royal court said the king urged Israel to respect the status quo at the holy compound, which says Jews can visit it during certain hours but are not allowed to pray openly there.

Jordan's government also said King Abdullah II was encouraging Israel to "end its acts of violence" that undermine hopes for a peaceful end to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Benjamin Netanyahu has defended his plans to impose limits on the judiciary

According to Netanyahu's administration officials, he discussed vaguely defined "regional issues" as well as security issues as well as economic cooperation with Jordan, a key regional ally.

Tensions have simmered between the two neighboring countries over Israel's new ultra-nationalist government that took office late last year.

Since then, the Jordanian government has twice summoned the Israeli ambassador to a meeting regarding incidents at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

The complex is run by Jordanian religious authorities as part of an informal settlement after Israel took control of East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war. Israel is responsible for security at the site, the AP recalled.

Benjamin Netanyahu

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