Monitoring Desk
JERUSALEM: The United States (US) and United Nations (UN) led a burden of international criticism over a visit by the extreme right new national security minister of Israel to super sensitive Al- Aqsa Mosque compound of Jerusalem on Tuesday.
Itamar Ben-Gvir’s action infuriated Palestinians and US supporters in the Arab world while the Western nations warned that such actions could threaten the fragile status quo at Jerusalem’s sacred sites. Ben-Gvir’s entered the extremely sensitive site just days after being appointed national security minister with control over the police.
Jews, who refer to the compound as the Temple Mount, regard the Al-Aqsa Mosque as their most sacred location, making it the third-holiest place in Islam. Non-Muslims are currently only permitted to visit the location at particular hours but are not permitted to pray there.
Growing numbers of Jews, mostly Israeli nationalists, have been secretly praying at the compound in recent years, which has angered Palestinians. Both the UAE and Morocco, which established ties with Israel diplomatically in 2020, condemned Ben-Gvir’s action.
Abu Dhabi “strongly criticized the Israeli minister’s storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard.” “Avoiding escalation and unilateral and confrontational actions,” Rabat pleaded. It would be “unacceptable,” according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, to alter the current situation at Jerusalem’s sacred sites. Ned Price, a spokesperson for the State Department, stated that the United States was “very concerned” about Ben-Gvir’s visit because it would “provoke violence.”
UN Secretary-General
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged “everyone to refrain from actions that could increase tensions in and around the holy sites,” according to a UN spokesperson. The status quo, according to Germany’s ambassador to Israel, “has long helped sustain the delicate calm and security around the holy sites,” and he pleaded with all parties to refrain from taking any steps that would inflame the situation.
US statement
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has said that a change to the status quo of the holy sites would be “unacceptable”. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the US was “deeply concerned” by Ben-Gvir’s visit.
