British Minister For The Middle East Visited The Al Aqsa Mosque, Postponed Israel's Security Checks

British Middle East Affairs Minister Tariq Ahmad (second from the right) visited the Al Aqsa Mosque. (Twitter/@tarisqahmadbt)

JAKARTA - British Minister for Middle East Affairs, Tariq Ahmad, was delayed by an Israeli security check for half an hour, while visiting the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Thursday.

"It is an honor and privilege to spend time in the holy mosque of Al Aqsa this morning with Jerusalem Waqf Department Director Sheikh Azzam Al Khatib," he tweeted.

"I emphasize Britain's support for Jordanian trustees for the holy places of Jerusalem and for the status quo," he continued.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon who is a Muslim told the BBC he underwent a "security check" upon arrival at the gate, adding that Israeli authorities had completed "what they needed to do".

Meanwhile, the Department of Waqf, the manager of a Jordanian-funded holy site, claimed to have informed Israel of Ahmad's visit the day before.

The delegation is known to have informed the guards the visit had been coordinated with the Israeli government.

An honour & privilege to spend time at the holy Al Aqsa Mosque this morning with the Director of Jerusalem Waqf Department Sheikh Azzam Al Khatib. I emphasised the UK’s 🇬🇧 unwavering support for Jordanian Custodianship of Jerusalem’s Holy Sites & for the Status Quo. pic.twitter.com/8Q1LM4qqsm

— Lord (Tariq)Ahmad of Wimbledon (@tariqahmadbt) January 12, 2023

Photo of Minister Ahmad's meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Wednesday is said to have been used by her team to support their opinion.

Al Aqsa Mosque Complex is the third holiest site in Islam and the holiest site in your body.

Jews believe the area once had two temples in the center of the Jewish empire that existed in ancient times, citing holy writings and archaeological studies as evidence.

"My visit comes at a difficult but important time for the Palestinian people, and I would like to re-emphasize Britain's support for the Palestinian people, our steadfast commitment to a two-state solution negotiated the only way to end this conflict," he said before the visit.

"A visit to various parts of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, will allow me to witness firsthand the challenges facing Palestinians and see the impact of British funding on some of the most vulnerable," he continued.

"I look forward to discussing Britain-Palestinian relations with various interlocutors in the coming days," said Minister Ahmad.

The visit comes as tensions between Israel and Palestine peaked after National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit to the Al Aqsa compound this month.

The move by Israel's right-handed extreme minister drew international condemnation, causing anger among Palestinians who considered the visit a provocation.