The United States has raised considerations about Israel’s extreme-right firebrand Itamar Ben-Gvir visiting Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 4, 2023 08:22 IST
Al-Aqsa mosque is the third-holiest place in Islam and probably the most sacred website to Jews. (Photo: Reuters)
By India Today Web Desk: The United States has raised considerations about Israel’s extreme-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visiting Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque, for the primary time since changing into a minister.
Ben-Gvir’s go to to the holy to each Jews and Muslims has enraged Palestinians, who see it as a provocation.
“Our government will not surrender to the threats of Hamas,” Ben-Gvir mentioned in an announcement revealed by his spokesman, after the Palestinian armed group warned such a transfer was a “red line”.
The US has warned towards any change in the established order. “The United States stands firmly… for preservation of the status quo with respect to holy sites in Jerusalem,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned.
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State Department spokesman Ned Price individually mentioned the United States was “deeply concerned” by the go to of Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has a historical past of inflammatory statements and was given a key safety place in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s newest authorities.
“This visit has the potential to exacerbate tensions and to provoke violence,” Price mentioned of the go to which was broadly condemned within the Islamic world.
Ben-Gvir’s go to comes days after he took workplace as nationwide safety minister, giving his resolution to enter the extremely delicate website appreciable weight.
Al-Aqsa mosque is the third-holiest place in Islam and probably the most sacred website to Jews, who seek advice from the compound because the Temple Mount.
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Under a historic established order, non-Muslims can go to the location at particular instances however aren’t allowed to hope there.
But lately a rising variety of Jews, largely Israeli nationalists, have covertly prayed on the compound, a improvement decried by Palestinians.
“The Temple Mount is the most important place for the people of Israel, and we maintain the freedom of movement for Muslims and Christians, but Jews will also go up to the mount, and those who make threats must be dealt with — with an iron hand,” mentioned Ben-Gvir.
Lying inside Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, the compound is run by Jordan’s Waqf Islamic affairs council, with Israeli forces working there and controlling entry.
‘PROVOCATIVE STEP’
Ben-Gvir has lobbied to overtake administration of the location to permit Jewish prayer there, a transfer opposed by mainstream rabbinical authorities. Waqf guards instructed AFP that Ben-Gvir was accompanied by items of the Israeli safety forces, whereas a drone hovered above the holy website.
After he left the location on Tuesday morning, guests arrived on the plaza and the scenario remained quiet.
Jordan slammed the Israeli politician for “breaking into the blessed Al-Aqsa mosque and violating its sanctity.”
Foreign ministry spokesman Sinan Majali condemned it as a “provocative step” in an announcement.
Published On:
Jan 4, 2023
