Foreign Secretary David Lammy blasts Israeli minister over 'deliberately provocative' visit to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque as Britain joins international condemnation of hardliner Itamar Ben-Gvir
The Foreign Secretary today criticised a 'deliberately provocative' visit by an Israeli minister to Jerusalem's most-contested holy site.
David Lammy spoke out against Itamar Ben-Gvir's actions in making a trip to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound - known to Jews as Temple Mount - yesterday.
He added Britain's voice to international condemnation of the Israeli national security minister during a time of rapidly rising tensions in the Middle East.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has blasted Mr Ben-Gvir, saying he showed 'blatant disregard for the historic status quo' with respect to Jerusalem's holy sites.
The visit also earned a rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
David Lammy spoke out against Itamar Ben-Gvir's actions in making a trip to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound - known to Jews as Temple Mount - yesterday
The Foreign Secretary criticised a 'deliberately provocative' visit by the Israeli national security minister to Jerusalem's most-contested holy site
Mr Lammy added Britain's voice to international condemnation of Mr Ben-Gvir during a time of rapidly rising tensions in the Middle East
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Lammy said: 'The UK strongly condemns Minister Ben-Gvir's deliberately provocative visit to Jerusalem's Holy Sites.
'Such actions undermine the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan's role as custodian of the sites and the longstanding Status Quo arrangements.
'The focus of all parties must be on securing an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages, and restoring regional stability.'
The Al-Aqsa mosque compound is among Islam's holiest sites and is where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.
The site is also revered by Jews as the location of two ancient temples.
It is administered by a Jordanian religious foundation and, under rules dating back decades, Jews are allowed to visit but may not pray there.
During a visit to the complex to mark the Jewish day of mourning for the destruction of the ancient temples, Mr Ben-Gvir said Jews should be allowed to pray at the site.
He passed a line of Jewish visitors who prostrated themselves on the ground, while others sang and clapped their hands in celebration.
The Waqf, the foundation that administers the site, said around 2,250 Jews entered the site on Tuesday.
Mr Netanyahu quickly denied there would be any change to rules prohibiting Jews from praying at the site.
He also issued a stern rebuke to Mr Ben-Gvir, who is head of one of the nationalist religious parties in Israel's ruling coalition.
'There is no private policy of any minister on the Temple Mount - neither the Minister of National Security nor any other minister,' Mr Netanyahu's office said.
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