An ultranationalist Israeli Cabinet minister visited Tuesday a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site for the first time since taking office in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new far-right government last week.
The visit is seen by Palestinians as a provocation and drew fierce condemnation from across the Muslim world and rebuke from Israeli allies.
The site has been the scene of frequent clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces, most recently in April last year. Bahrain, which also recognized Israel at the same time, did not immediately acknowledge the incident. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which acts as custodian of the contested shrine, condemned Ben-Gvir's visit “in the strongest terms." Egypt warned against “negative repercussions of such measures on security and stability in the occupied territories and the region, and on the future of the peace process.”
The hilltop shrine is the third-holiest site in Islam and an emotional symbol for the Palestinians. It sits on a sprawling esplanade that also is the holiest site for Jews, who call it to the Temple Mount because it was the location of two Jewish temples in antiquity.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ultranationalist Israeli minister visits flashpoint Jerusalem holy site for first time since taking officeThe visit by Israeli Cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is seen by Palestinians as a provocation
Read more »
Israeli missile strikes put Damascus airport out of serviceIsrael's military fired missiles toward the international airport of Syria's capital early Monday, putting it out of service and killing two soldiers and wounding two others, the Syrian army said.
Read more »
Israeli army kills two Palestinians in West Bank confrontationIt was the latest bloodshed in the region that has seen Israeli-Palestinian tensions surge for months
Read more »
New Israeli government vows to develop West Bank tourismJERUSALEM (AP) — The tourism minister of Israel’s new hardline government on Sunday promised to invest in developing the West Bank, calling the occupied area…
Read more »
B.C. spring camping reservations open Tuesday | Globalnews.caBC Parks Reservation Service opens its four-month rolling booking window for front-country and backcountry reservations Tuesday morning.
Read more »
B.C. campsite reservations open Tuesday for the 2023 seasonB.C.'s online camping reservation service, camping.bcparks.ca, launches Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 7 a.m. PT for the 2023 season.
Read more »