Tel Aviv [Israel], May 22: A renewed visit by Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to a contested religious site in Jerusalem on Sunday sparked fierce criticism from Palestinians and their Arab allies.
While visiting the Noble Sanctuary site, which to Jews is known as Temple Mount, Ben-Givr said: "I'm excited to be visiting Jerusalem's Temple Mount, the most important site for the Jewish people."
The Noble Sanctuary, or al-Haram al-Sharif in
Arabic, is the third holiest site in Islam after Makkaha and Medina. To Jews it is known as the Temple
Mount, where both of Judaism's ancient temples once stood.
Jews are allowed to visit the site, but not to pray there.
Al-Haram al-Sharif contains the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Jordan's Foreign Ministry and a Palestinian presidential spokesman condemned the far-right politician's visit as dangerous provocation.
The national security minister last visited the site in January, shortly after taking office.
A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called Ben-Gvir's visit "a blatant attack on the holy site that will have
serious consequences," according to the Wafa news agency.
"Attempts by Itamar Ben Gvir and his likes of extremists to change the status quo in Al-Aqsa Mosque are condemned and rejected and will fail," he was quoted as saying.
Source: Qatar Tribune
