JERUSALEM (JTA) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and King Abdullah of Jordan agreed to place surveillance cameras on the Temple Mount in what U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said “could really be a game changer” in discouraging violence at the Jerusalem holy site. Kerry announced the placement of the 24-hour-a-day cameras at an appearance before reporters on Saturday, Oct. 24 with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh in Amman.

Kerry called it a “first step” toward bringing Israel and the Palestinians back together to discuss long-term peace. “I expect Jordanian and Israeli technical teams will meet soon to discuss the implementation of this idea alongside other measures to maintain and enhance public order and calm.”

In televised remarks on Saturday night, Netanyahu said there would be “increased coordination between the Israeli authorities and the Jordanian Waqf, including to ensure that visitors and worshippers demonstrate restraint and respect for the sanctity of the area, and all this in accordance with the respective responsibilities of the Israeli authorities and the Jordanian Waqf.” The Muslim Waqf is responsible for overseeing the Temple Mount site.

In his televised remarks, Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to the status quo on the Temple Mount. “Israel will continue to enforce its longstanding policy: Muslims pray on the Temple Mount; non-Muslims visit the Temple Mount,” Netanyahu said, adding later, “As we have said many times, Israel has no intention to divide the Temple Mount, and we completely reject any attempt to suggest otherwise.”