When an Israeli politician visited the religiously important hill in Jerusalem in 2000, there were prolonged and violent clashes. Now Israel’s new security minister faces heavy criticism after Tuesday’s visit.
Israel’s new security minister, the ultranationalist Itmar Ben-Gvir, came forward on Tuesday at the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem’s occupied Old City.
Visit makes Palestinian leaders blush:
– This is an unprecedented provocation, read a statement by the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The hill, known to Arabs as Haram al-Sharif, also known as the Temple Mount, is considered the third holiest site in Islam and the holiest site in Judaism. The al-Aqsa mosque itself has a strong symbolic value for the Palestinians.
The new security minister posted a photo of the visit on Twitter:
– If Hamas thinks its threats will put me off, then they should understand that times have changed, he writes.
The Palestinian militant movement Hamas said in advance that Ben-Gvir would cross the line if he visited the height, according to NTB.
Both Israeli and Palestinian authorities consider Jerusalem their capital.
The city is a central point of contention between Israel and Palestine and has been the starting point of several violent incidents in recent decades.
Latest in May 2021 the Israeli military stormed the square in front of the mosque. The result was a bloody escalation of the conflict with the Palestinians and subsequently a massive bombing of Gaza same month.
Ariel Sharon, a former Israeli general and prime minister, visited the height in 2000. His visit is considered the trigger for the second Palestinian intifadenintifadenIntifada means rebellion in Arabic. The word is used of the popular Palestinian uprisings that erupted in 1987 and 2000 to protest the Israeli occupation..
The visit is strongly condemned by Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, all Arab countries with peace agreements with Israel.
The first called the Israeli ambassador to the table to protest against what they call “a clear violation of international law” and “a pure provocation,” writes NTB.
The White House also released a statement on Tuesday:
– The United States maintains the status quo regarding holy places in Jerusalem, said press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Just before the new year Corruption indictment Benjamin Netanyahu announced what is considered the most far-reaching government in Israel’s history. At the same time, he embarked on his sixth term as prime minister for the right-wing Likud party.
Security Minister Ben-Gvir represents the ultranationalist Jewish Power party and is a controversial right-wing figure in Israeli politics.
He is behind a series of provocative statements and actions aimed at Palestinians and other Arabs.
Ben-Gvir is also extremely hostile to Christians – whom he calls “bloodthirsty vampires” – and will refuse them to celebrate Christmas in Israel, according to NTB.
The news agency also writes that the new security minister had such extreme attitudes that he was refused service in the army as a young man.
During the autumn election campaign, however, Ben-Gvir and the party had a great success, which has become important for Netanyahu’s return to power.
