Israeli minister's synagogue proposal inside Al-Aqsa Mosque further inflaming tensions, UN warns

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) — The UN on Monday denounced Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's recent remarks on building a synagogue inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque site in occupied East Jerusalem, saying they were "highly counterproductive."

"These types of statements are highly counterproductive, to say the least. They risk inflaming a situation which is already bone dry," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in a news conference.

Highlighting the sensitivity surrounding the status of holy sites in Jerusalem, Dujarric said that, "There is a status quo agreed to the parties for the holy sites in Jerusalem that must be respected by all."

He urged adherence to this agreement, in actions as well as public statements, to avoid escalating tensions further.

Ben-Gvir claimed Monday that Jews have the right to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying that he would build a synagogue at the flashpoint site.

It was the first time for the Israeli minister to openly speak about building a synagogue inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque. However, he has repeatedly called in recent months for allowing Jewish prayers at the site.

His call came amid repeated incursions into the complex by illegal Israeli settlers under police protection.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered the third holiest site in Islam. Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount, believing it to be the location of two ancient Jewish temples.

Asked about recent reports of a senior UN official stating that UN aid operations in Gaza have been halted after latest Israeli evacuation orders at Deir al Balah, Dujarric said UNRWA, the agency for Palestine refugees, was able to operate as "they are embedded with the population."

"What our senior UN official was referring to, is UN officials and UN humanitarian staff moving about and trying to get to places (in Gaza)," he added.

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

The onslaught has resulted in over 40,400 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, and over 93,500 injuries, according to local health authorities.

An ongoing blockade of Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine, leaving much of the region in ruins.

Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered a halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6.