Sharp criticism in Israel of the European Union and other Western countries, due to a tour conducted by dozens of European diplomats on the Temple Mount.
The tour was held last Wednesday in the areas of the mountain, without coordination with Israel and while ignoring Israeli control of the mountain in particular and Jerusalem in general.
About 30 representatives of the European Union as well as Canada, Australia and Argentina participated in it.
They consulted with the Waqf management, while ignoring Israel.
Head of the diplomatic team Sven Koon, photo: Photo: AFP
The visit was initiated by the head of the EU delegation in Ramallah, but he avoided giving it publicity.
On the other hand, participants published word of the event on social networks.
Thus, for example, the British Consulate wrote on its Twitter account: "We participated in a tour of the Al-Aqsa Mosque with diplomats who agree with our views to demonstrate support for the Jordanian guardianship of holy, Christian and Muslim sites in Jerusalem. We continue to support the historic status quo arrangements, which allow all three Abrahamic religions to operate in the old City".
In Israel they are angry about the tour in the sensitive place.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman told Israel Hayom that "this is an irresponsible visit that could lead to provocation and incitement. The Foreign Ministry acted and continues to act through diplomatic channels to prevent steps that would lead to escalation, and clarified to the European Union the seriousness with which it views things."
Postpone the steps
The unusual and large visit of the diplomats to the Temple Mount came a day after Israel prevented the Jordanian ambassador to Israel from climbing the mountain in an uncoordinated manner, and two weeks after the Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gabir paid a short visit there.
It seems that the goal of the diplomats was to convey the message that in their eyes Jordan is responsible for the arrangements on the mountain and that they reject the Israeli steps, which in their eyes strengthen the Jewish hold on the place.
It should be noted that they did this even though Ben Gabir's visit to the Temple Mount was not a precedent.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Ran Yishai, former Israeli ambassador to Kazakhstan, who served as a political advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in response: "The irresponsible behavior of the Jordanian ambassador, who tried to climb the mountain without coordinating with the police as required, as is the practice of all political visitors to the mountain, led to the embarrassing photos of the delegation of European representatives."
Yishai, currently the head of the Center for Applied Policy of the "If I Forget You" organization said that, "Israel is the sovereign on the Temple Mount, and it will remain so. The situation in which representatives of European countries treat Jerusalem and its surroundings as an international playground must stop. Israel has the tools to make it happen, we trust It's up to the government to know how to do that."
were we wrong
We will fix it!
If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us