Jerusalem
CNN
—
Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Guvir On Tuesday, we visited the Jerusalem compound known as the temple mount Haram al-Sharif by Jews or noble sanctuary by Muslims in a move that drew international condemnation.
A video released to Israeli media shows Ben Gubir walking around the compound surrounded by Israeli police.
Tensions are mounting over the Flashpoint complex, the holiest site in Judaism and the third holiest in Islam. It contains the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the ruins of the destroyed first and second Jewish temples. Under a decades-old agreement, only Muslims are allowed to pray at the complex. Ben Gvir believes that Jews should also have the right to pray there.
Palestinians immediately opposed the visit.
In a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs “strongly condemned the attack on the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque by extremist Ben Gubir and considers it an unprecedented provocation and a serious threat.” said. “We hold [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu Responsible for conflict and local impact. ”
Ben Gvir entered the premises on Tuesday but did not enter the Al-Aqsa mosque building itself. The lawmaker’s visit was his first since being sworn in last week as national security minister in what is set to be the most right-wing government in Israel’s history. It is headed by Netanyahu, who is back for a sixth term as prime minister to lead the government.
Ben Guvir, leader of the far-right Jewish Power Party (Otzma Yehudit), has been convicted of supporting terrorism and inciting anti-Arab racism. As Minister of National Security, he oversees Israeli police and police operations in the occupied West Bank.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that runs Gaza, has warned that Ben Gabil’s visit “precursively ignites the region” and “adds fuel to the fire”.
“The Israeli government, of which I am a member, will not bow to a vile murderous gang,” Ben Guvir tweeted. “The Temple Mount is open to everyone, and if Hamas thinks it will deter me if it threatens me, let them understand that times have changed. There is a government in Jerusalem.” !”
Under the so-called status quo agreement, which dates back to Ottoman rule of Jerusalem, only Muslims are allowed to pray within the grounds of Al-Aqsa Mosque, while non-Muslims can visit the complex only at certain times. Allowed. Israel and other nations agreed to maintain status quo access to these holy sites after Israel occupied them in the 1967 war.
Some religious nationalist Jewish groups have requested access to the Temple Mount area for Jewish prayer. There have been several instances of Jewish visitors praying on the premises, sparking outrage from Islamic authorities and evictions by Israeli police.
Visits by Israeli politicians historically precede periods of violence between Israel and the Palestinians. A visit to the complex by Israeli conservative opposition leader Ariel Sharon in September 2000 helped start the Second Intifada, his year-long uprising of Palestinians against Israel.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid criticized Netanyahu on the visit, calling him “weak” for leaving “the most irresponsible man in the Middle East to the most explosive place in the Middle East”.
In a tweet, Rapid called the visit “a provocation that endangers and leads to life-threatening violence” and said it was time for Netanyahu to tell Ben Guvir “Don’t climb the Temple Mount.” because people die ”
The visit also provoked an international chorus of criticism.
The United Arab Emirates said it “strongly condemned the attack on the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by an Israeli minister under the protection of the Israeli army,” without naming Ben Guvir.
The Gulf States have sought to maintain support for the Palestinian people while balancing their newly formed partnership with Israel. The country has issued denunciations in the past, particularly over events that have heightened tensions over the Holy Land in Jerusalem.
Egypt’s foreign ministry “warned of the adverse effects of such measures on security and stability” and urged “all parties to exercise restraint and responsibility and refrain from any measures that aggravate the situation.”
Jordan condemned Ben Gubir’s visit in the “strongest” terms, calling it “a flagrant and unacceptable violation of international law and the historical and legal status quo of Jerusalem and its sanctity.”
The Jordanian monarchy has been the custodian of the Holy Land of Jerusalem since 1924 and considers itself the guarantor of the religious rights of Muslims and Christians in the city.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a 57-member state, also issued a statement holding Israel responsible for the effects of the “aggression” on the Palestinian people.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy said: Behavior that interferes with it is unacceptable. ”
In a statement posted on Facebook, the British consulate in Jerusalem said it was “concerned” about Ben Gobir’s visit and “remains committed to the status quo”.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to maintain the status quo strictly without change on the Temple Mount,” he said. office statement said.
“We are not directed by Hamas. is not.”
