Criticism has adopted Israel’s new safety minister’s go to to Jerusalem website : NPR

JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:

Israel’s new authorities simply took workplace final week, and it is already prompted some worldwide rebukes. This morning, a key cupboard minister, a Jewish ultranationalist, visited Jerusalem’s most delicate non secular website – the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Criticism of the transfer got here from Palestinians, some Israelis and a number of other international locations, together with certainly one of Israel’s new companions within the area. NPR’s Daniel Estrin has extra from Tel Aviv.

(SOUNDBITE OF WALKIE-TALKIE BEEPING)

DANIEL ESTRIN, BYLINE: Beneath heavy Israeli police guard, new Minister of Nationwide Safety Itamar Ben-Gvir walked the perimeter of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. He famous the Hamas militant group had warned towards the go to.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

ITAMAR BEN-GVIR: (Non-English language spoken).

ESTRIN: He mentioned the Israeli authorities won’t give in to a despicable terrorist group. The Temple Mount is crucial place for the folks of Israel. In Jewish custom, the hilltop that is the mosque compound is the place the biblical temples stood. Ben-Gvir and Jewish ultranationalists have referred to as for prayer rights and extra entry there. Palestinians concern Israel desires to take over the location, which is run by Jordan. Mustafa Abu Sway is on the Mosque Advisory Council.

MUSTAFA ABU SWAY: Solely the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the rightful custodian of the holy locations – the Christian and Muslim holy locations in Jerusalem – are chargeable for all the inner affairs at this mosque, so long as the Israeli occupation is in place.

ESTRIN: Jordan summoned Israel’s ambassador in protest. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem mentioned unilateral actions that do not protect the established order are unacceptable. The European Union spoke out, too. Israel’s chief rabbi additionally protested. Orthodox Judaism is split on the non secular implications of visiting the location. It is also politically controversial in Israel.

EHUD OLMERT: It is outrageous. It’s very insupportable, and I fully perceive the response of the worldwide group.

ESTRIN: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, talking to NPR.

OLMERT: The need to go to there’s a provocative perspective by this thug who occurs to be the minister of nationwide safety. And it has to cease. And if it won’t cease, it will set off an explosive confrontation.

ESTRIN: Disputes over the mosque compound have prompted Israeli-Palestinian violence over time and nervous Muslims internationally. In the present day, the United Arab Emirates protested, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to go to the nation have been reportedly postponed. Ksenia Svetlova, Mideast analyst and former Israeli lawmaker, thinks that response will need to have surprised Netanyahu as a result of the U.A.E. led the group of Arab international locations that established ties with Israel within the Abraham Accords.

KSENIA SVETLOVA: This can be a clear signal that the Abraham Accords states will not be going to simply settle for this conduct or be silent about it.

ESTRIN: There was additionally condemnation from Saudi Arabia, the nation Netanyahu is attempting to court docket for a peace deal. After Ben-Gvir’s go to at the moment, Netanyahu mentioned he is dedicated to sustaining the established order on the delicate non secular website.

Daniel Estrin, NPR Information, Tel Aviv.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

Copyright © 2023 NPR. All rights reserved. Go to our web site phrases of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for additional info.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This textual content will not be in its remaining type and could also be up to date or revised sooner or later. Accuracy and availability could differ. The authoritative file of NPR’s programming is the audio file.