Since yesterday threats from around the world poured in urging Israel to prevent newly minted Minster of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir from ascending the Temple Mount.
While there was some last minute doubt about his ascension, Ben Gvir in fact went up to Judaism’s holiest site. Despite threats from Hamas and the PA – nothing happened.
The US threatened Israel over the visit. “To be very clear – we want to preserve status quo and actions that are unacceptable. We have been very clear in our conversations with the Israeli government on this issue,” states US Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides.
When interviewed by Channel 12 over changing the status quo on the Temple Mount – Ben Gvir said the following:
“You know that I give clear answers. If I don’t want to answer, I don’t answer.”
“That’s not the story. The story on Temple Mount is the racism. That Jews can’t go up. That Jews are treated as though they’re impure. That Jews are not allowed to drink from the water tap,” he said, also dodging a question on whether he would allow a Passover sacrifice at the site.
“There is always significance to what the US says,” Ben Gvir said. “I love the US, they’re our friends, but I expect them to understand that they actually need to come out against those who throw firebombs at our soldiers, who try to murder our babies.”