Condemns Israel's Right Winged Minister's Actions At Al Aqsa Complex, United States: Endangering Quo Status

Itamar Ben Gvir. (Twitter/@itamarbengvir)

JAKARTA - United States Government of President Amerina Joe Biden criticized National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir who led a visit to the Al Aqsa Mosque Complex on Tuesday with several members of the Israeli Parliament, while thousands of Jews performed rituals of worship and prayer, violating the status quo that regulates the location of the flashpoint.

"We certainly pay close attention to the actions and activities we consider a disruption to Israel's security, contributors to the greater insecurity and instability in the region. This is of course an action we see today followed by Ben Gvir," said US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel., reported The Times of Israel August 14th.

"Even the Prime Minister's Office confirmed that this morning's incident was a deviation from Israel's policy and a deviation from the status quo," said Patel.

Around 1,600 Jews entered the Al Aqsa Mosque Complex on Tuesday and performed worship rituals and prayed. They received escort from Israeli security forces. It received criticism from Palestine for violating the agreed status quo. Ben Gvir was one of those present and prayed there.

Ben Gvir said while in the area his policy allowed Jews to pray there, contrary to the status quo governing the holy site.

"The United States stands firm to maintain a historic status quo in connection with the holy sites in Jerusalem. A unilateral action like this that jeopardizes the status quo is unacceptable," Patel explained.

"This reduces what we consider a very important time, as we are working to reach this ceasefire agreement. This reduces our goal for this region, namely a two-state solution," he added.

Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old Town is the holiest place in Jewish religion, as the location of two temples in the Bible. While Muslims, this is known as Haram al-Sharif or Your Holy Place, this place is home to Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam.

Under the decades-long "status quo" arrangement with Muslim authorities, Israel allowed Jews to visit but should not pray.

The site is at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and suggestions for Israel to change rules about religious obedience there have led to violence in the past.

Prior to today's incident, Ben Gvir had several times supported Jews praying in the area. He also visited him several times, although it has always drawn criticism from Palestine and a number of countries.

Meanwhile, PM Netanyahu also repeatedly emphasized that the status quo in the area remained unchanged.

Jordan has been the official guard of Muslim and Christian holy places in Jerusalem since 1924, and has openly been recognized as the guard of Jerusalem's holy sites.