The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, assured last night at the beginning of the meeting of the Security Cabinet that "there are no and will not be any changes in the 'status quo'" of the Esplanade of the Mosques in the Old City of Jerusalem.
According to the status quo in force since 1967, the site is reserved exclusively for the worship of Muslims, while theJews can only enter as visitorsIts interior is guarded by Jordan and monitored by Israel.
In fact, el Chief Rabbinate of Israel prohibits Jews from praying in that place, and stipulates that their prayers be performed only at the adjacent Wailing Wall.
That's why Netanyahu He insisted to all his ministers not to visit the Temple Mount without his prior approval through his military secretary.
The same was confirmed yesterday by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who emphasized "Israel's unequivocal commitment to preserve the status quo in the place according to the political agreements established since 1967 and the spirit transmitted by rabbis and prominent figures."
However, this summer, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir took advantage of certain important dates on the Jewish calendar to raid the area on several occasions, accompanied by settlers and escorted by the police.
“We have made significant progress on Israel’s sovereignty here. Our policy is to allow Jewish prayer,” the minister said last July.
Ben Gvir advocates allowing Jews the right to pray by establishing a synagogue, something that angers the Muslim population since it is their third most important place of worship.
Agencies contributed to this Aurora article.