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Visit of the Israeli minister to Al Aqsa; The protest grows
Tel Aviv: protests are growing against the visit of the far-right minister of the new Israeli government to the al-Aqsa mosque.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, minister of national security in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, entered the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem the other day. Many countries including Palestine, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates protested against this.
Palestine responded to the matter by saying that the far-right minister’s visit to Al-Aqsa was extremely provocative.
Condemning Ben Gvir’s visit, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Israeli minister’s action was extremely provocative.
The UAE also condemned the incident. The UAE responded by saying it condemns the raid on the Al-Aqsa mosque compound and calls for an end to the serious and provocative violations.
The American, French and European Union embassies in Israel have also issued statements opposing Ben Guir’s visit.
Itamar Ben Gvir is someone who has already come out with constant anti-Palestinian remarks.
Ben Guir also made the remark while lauding an Israeli soldier who shot dead a Palestinian youth at point blank range.
Ben Guir said the Israeli soldier who killed the Palestinian youth at point blank range was a “hero” and did his job “well”.
Earlier, Ben Guir said the laws should be changed to make it easier for Jews to pray in the Al-Aqsa area.
The hilltop site is considered the holiest site by Jews and the third holiest site in Islam. Jews call it the Temple Mount (site of the two Biblical temples) and Muslims call it Haram al-Sharif (the site of Muhammad’s ascension). The entire complex is regarded by Muslims as the Al-Aqsa mosque.
The area where the Al-Aqsa Mosque is located has been under Israeli occupation since the beginning of the occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities are moving to demolish the centuries-old cemetery for Palestinian citizens of Al-Yusufia, located east of the Al-Aqsa mosque, to build a park.
The authority aims to establish a 1.4-acre national park for Jews. The park will cover the cemetery. Palestinian citizens are protesting the move vigorously.
Jews are not allowed to pray inside mosques under Israel accord, in effect since 1967
At the same time, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu came to power in Israel five days ago.
Featured Content: Saudis, UAE Palestinian anger joins wave of condemnations over Ben Gvir visit to al aqsa
