US flogs Ben Gvir for 'provocative, inflammatory' tour on tense Temple Mount [View all]
State Department slams far-right minister for politicizing holy site with visit meant to show Israeli muscle; move paving way for resurrection of Homesh outpost also panned
By TOI STAFF and JACOB MAGID
Today.
The United States expressed deep misgivings with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s “provocative” visit to the Temple Mount Sunday, chiding the Israeli hardliner for using “inflammatory rhetoric” and politicizing the holy site.
The statement from State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also spoke out against Jerusalem for lifting a ban on Israelis entering the area of the former Homesh outpost, paving the way for settlers to return and build a formal settlement there.
Ben Gvir, leader of the extremist Otzma Yehudit party, took a highly visible tour of the Temple Mount on Sunday, boasting that he was flexing Israel’s sovereignty over the flashpoint site holy to both Jews and Muslims.
“We are also concerned by today’s provocative visit to the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif in Jerusalem and the accompanying inflammatory rhetoric,” the State Department said.
“This holy space should not be used for political purposes, and we call on all parties to respect its sanctity,” it added.
During the tour, Ben Gvir made clear that his visit was intended to send a political message.
“We are in charge here,” Ben Gvir declared
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https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-flogs-ben-gvir-for-provocative-inflammatory-tour-on-tense-temple-mount/