UAE joins world powers in condemning Ben-Gvir’s visit to Temple Mount
The far-right leader's trip comes a day after Hamas sent a message to Israel warning that it could “blow up the situation.”
World powers united in condemning Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to the Temple Mount on Tuesday morning, warning it would escalate the already tense situation between Israel and Palestinians.
Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount, also known as Haram al-Sharif to Muslims, heavily surrounded by Israeli security forces and despite threats from Hamas on Tuesday that it would “blow up” the situation.
The British consulate in Jerusalem issued a statement saying: “Concerned by the visit to Haram al Sharif/Temple Mount by Minister Ben-Gvir today. The UK remains committed to the Status Quo, and it is important that all should avoid actions which inflame tensions and undermine the cause of peace.”
Concerned by the visit to Haram al Sharif/Temple Mount by Minister Ben-Gvir today. The UK remains committed to the Status Quo, and it is important that all should avoid actions which inflame tensions and undermine the cause of peace.
— UKinJerusalem???????? (@UKinJerusalem) January 3, 2023
A spokesperson for the U.S. embassy in Israel said that “Ambassador [Tom] Nides has been very clear in conversations with the Israeli government on the issue of preserving the status quo in Jerusalem’s holy sites. Actions that prevent that are unacceptable.”
Jordan, which is the custodian of the Al-Aqsa mosque located on the Temple Mount, also issued a statement shortly after, condemning Ben-Gvir’s “storming” of al Al-Aqsa, saying it requires “international intervention.”
The Jordanian foreign ministry in Amman also summoned the Israeli ambassador to Jordan over Ben-Gvir’s visit.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called it an “unprecedented provocation” saying “Netanyahu bears responsibility for this attack on Al-Aqsa.”
Another close ally of Israel, the United Arab Emirates, issued a statement, condemning Ben-Gvir for “storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard,” while Saudi Arabia issued a similar message over “the provocative action by an Israeli official who stormed” Al-Aqsa.
“Our government will not surrender to threats from Hamas. The Temple Mount is the most important place for the people of Israel. We maintain the freedom of movement for Muslims and Christians, but Jews also go up to the site,” Ben-Gvir said.
Prior to visit, the National Security Minister met with Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai who gave him the green light from a security perspective.
Israel Army Radio reported that Shin Bet chief told Ben-Gvir it was important that his visit be made in the early morning, since there would be less Palestinians at the site, and that it wasn’t important that the status-quo be upheld, meaning there would be no praying during his visit.
The status-quo agreement between Jordan and Israel from 1967 stipulates that Jews aren’t allowed to pray at the Temple Mount.
According to the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese outlet al-Mayadeen, Hamas sent a message to Israel on Monday, warning that Ben-Gvir intention to visit the Temple Mount was a sign that he had “declared war” on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is located on the site.
Hamas has repeatedly said that the Al-Aqsa mosque is a “red line” not to be crossed by Israel, warning Jews and Israeli security forces not to come near it.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid slammed the visit, saying “this is what happens when a weak prime minister is forced to entrust the most irresponsible man in the Middle East with the most explosive place in the Middle East.”
Former Mossad chief Danny Yatom told Jewish News in November that Ben-Gvir’s visit to the Temple Mount could ignite the entire Middle East and damage Israel’s normalisation deals with Arab countries.
“It will ignite the vicinity of the Temple Mount,” as well as the West Bank and possibly the entire Middle East, Yatom said.
The Temple Mount has been a flashpoint for years, seeing intense clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians.
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