Spain condemns supremacist Israeli minister’s raid in Al-Aqsa

MADRID: Spain today condemned Jewish supremacist Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's raid into Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied city of Jerusalem. 'The Spanish Government condemns the visit of Israeli Minister Ben Gvir to the Esplanade of the Mosques and his statements; they represent an unacceptable violation of the historical status quo of the Holy Places of Jerusalem, which Israel must preserve by taking all necessary measures,' Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement. 'The preservation of the status quo of the Holy Places, in which Spain recognises Jordan's special role as custodian, is essential,' it added. On Tuesday, dozens of Israelis, led by ministers, including Ben Gvir, prayed at Al-Aqsa Mosque during a large raid, violating decades-old arrangements that stipulate only Muslims can worship at the site in Jerusalem's Old City. Ben-Gvir said Jews should be permitted to pray at the Al-Aqsa, launching a fresh challenge to rules covering one of the most sensitive sites in the Middle East. Messianic Jewish colonists are hoping to establish an increased presence on the site of the Al-Aqsa mosque, among the most important Muslim shrines in the world and potent symbols of Palestinian nationalism, and calling for building a third temple on what they term the 'Temple Mount'. Their far-right beliefs were once considered a small fringe movement, but in recent years, they have found favor in the administration of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, receiving the endorsement of many lawmakers. Colonist incursions into the mosque compound coupled with the takeover of church property in Jerusalem are perceived as part of the plan to transform a multi-religious and multi-cultural city into a 'reunified' Jewish city under the exclusive control and sovereignty of Israel. Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA