Blinken: Prayer at al-Aqsa must not be repeated

The USA's Foreign Minister Antony Blinken urges Israel to prevent further "provocative actions" on the al-Aqsa area in Jerusalem. Israel's far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir led over 2,000 Israelis in prayer on the holy plateau on Tuesday.

» Updated: August 14 2024

» Published: August 14 2024

Blinken: Prayer at al-Aqsa must not be repeated
Photo: Susan Walsh/AP/TT

Share this article

In a sharply formulated statement, Blinken said that Ben-Gvir showed "open contempt" for the agreement in place regarding the site, which is sacred to both Jews and Muslims.

"These provocative actions only exacerbate tensions at a critical moment when all focus should be on diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire, secure the release of hostages, and create conditions for broad regional stability," Blinken says in the statement.

International Criticism

Itamar Ben-Gvir and around 2,250 other Israelis walked through the area on Tuesday morning, where both the al-Aqsa mosque and the Muslim shrine the Dome of the Rock are located.

They sang Jewish psalms under the protection of Israeli police, according to an official from Waqf, the foundation that manages the shrines. Israeli police also "imposed restrictions" on Muslim worshippers trying to reach the mosques to pray.

Strong international criticism has been directed at Itamar Ben-Gvir's actions. Even Israel's prime minister has spoken out, something that Blinken takes note of in his statement.

"Incompatible"

"Prime Minister Netanyahu has clarified that Minister Ben-Gvir's actions are incompatible with Israel's policy. We will ensure that the Israeli government prevents similar incidents in the future," Blinken says.

Both Jews and Muslims claim the area on a hill in Jerusalem's old city, and visits like Ben-Gvir's are seen as a provocation.

Jews and other non-Muslims are allowed to visit the area – which in Arabic is called al-Haram al-Sharif – at certain times, but they are not allowed to pray or display religious symbols.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Israel Announces Flights to Humanitarian Zone in Khan Yunis
1 MIN READ

Israel Announces Flights to Humanitarian Zone in Khan Yunis

Norway Election Polls Show Red-Green Bloc Leading Over Høyre
2 MIN READ

Norway Election Polls Show Red-Green Bloc Leading Over Høyre

Man Killed in Rare Shark Attack at Sydney's Northern Beaches
1 MIN READ

Man Killed in Rare Shark Attack at Sydney's Northern Beaches

Europe Faces Autumn Crisis Amid Trump Tensions
3 MIN READ

Europe Faces Autumn Crisis Amid Trump Tensions

Trump Proposes Hosting Next G20 Summit at His Miami Golf Club
2 MIN READ

Trump Proposes Hosting Next G20 Summit at His Miami Golf Club

Serbian Police Clash with Protesters in Novi Sad Amid Election Demands
1 MIN READ

Serbian Police Clash with Protesters in Novi Sad Amid Election Demands

Trump Engages in Talks with Hamas for Israeli Hostage Release
1 MIN READ

Trump Engages in Talks with Hamas for Israeli Hostage Release

Trump Renames Defense Department to War Department
1 MIN READ

Trump Renames Defense Department to War Department

Lebanon Military Begins Plan to Disarm Hizbollah
1 MIN READ

Lebanon Military Begins Plan to Disarm Hizbollah

Eagle S Captain Denies Intentional Damage to Baltic Sea Cables
2 MIN READ

Eagle S Captain Denies Intentional Damage to Baltic Sea Cables

Trump Deploys 10 F-35 Fighter Jets to Puerto Rico Amid Drug War
2 MIN READ

Trump Deploys 10 F-35 Fighter Jets to Puerto Rico Amid Drug War

WHO Declares Mpox No Longer a Global Health Crisis
1 MIN READ

WHO Declares Mpox No Longer a Global Health Crisis

Sweden's Foreign Minister Meets Zelenskyj to Boost Pressure on Russia
1 MIN READ

Sweden's Foreign Minister Meets Zelenskyj to Boost Pressure on Russia

IAGS Faces Backlash Over Gaza Genocide Resolution
4 MIN READ

IAGS Faces Backlash Over Gaza Genocide Resolution

UK Government Reshuffle: Angela Rayner Resigns, David Lammy Becomes Justice Minister
2 MIN READ

UK Government Reshuffle: Angela Rayner Resigns, David Lammy Becomes Justice Minister

Israeli Military Targets Gaza High-Rises Used by Hamas
1 MIN READ

Israeli Military Targets Gaza High-Rises Used by Hamas

UN Report: Congo Violence Could Be War Crimes
1 MIN READ

UN Report: Congo Violence Could Be War Crimes

Anutin Charnvirakul Elected as Thailand's New Prime Minister
1 MIN READ

Anutin Charnvirakul Elected as Thailand's New Prime Minister

Finland Joins UN Declaration for Peaceful Gaza Solution
1 MIN READ

Finland Joins UN Declaration for Peaceful Gaza Solution

Hamas Releases New Video of Israeli Hostages Amid Ongoing Conflict
2 MIN READ

Hamas Releases New Video of Israeli Hostages Amid Ongoing Conflict