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JERUSALEM, Jan 4 (Reuters) – Main ultra-Orthodox Jewish figures supporting Israel’s coalition authorities on Wednesday criticised a go to by a far-right minister to a flashpoint holy website in Jerusalem, including inner spiritual dissent to a cascade of overseas censure.
One lawmaker accused Nationwide Safety Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of “goading the whole world”.
Ben-Gvir’s tour on Tuesday of the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, which Jews revere because the Temple Mount, stirred protests from throughout the Arab world and Western concern about long-standing understandings on non-Muslim entry.
The minister, himself spiritual, didn’t breach an Israeli-enforced ban on Jewish prayer at what’s an icon of Palestinian nationalism. However his mere presence on the compound was anathema to extra stringently pious and politically impartial Jews.
“It’s forbidden to go as much as the place of the Holy of Holies,” senior United Torah Judaism lawmaker Moshe Gafni mentioned in parliament, referring to part of Jewish temples that stood on the website in historic instances and was off-limits to most individuals.
Gafni mentioned he had suggested Ben-Gvir of this.
“Moreover the side of non secular legislation, there may be nothing to be gained from simply goading the whole world,” he mentioned.
Al Aqsa compound, recognized to Muslims because the Noble Sanctuary, is Islam’s third holiest website. It’s also Judaism’s most sacred website.
It’s also an emblem for Palestinian hopes of securing a state, a purpose that appears ever bleaker with Ben-Gvir and different far-right allies now in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s authorities.
It’s situated in East Jerusalem, amongst areas Israel captured within the 1967 Center East conflict and the place Palestinians search statehood. Israel deems all of Jerusalem its indivisible capital – a standing not recognised internationally.
“SYMBOL OF SOVEREIGNTY”
Some sages who promote Jewish visits to the compound argue their route comports with sanctity by steering away from the place they consider that the Holy of Holies had been situated.
Citing such rulings, Ben-Gvir retorted to Gafni on Twitter: “The Temple Mount is not only a spiritual matter…It’s also an emblem of sovereignty and governance, and the enemy measures us up in accordance with our conduct there.”
Alongside United Torah Judaism within the authorities Netanyahu swore in final week is Shas, an ultra-Orthodox occasion that pulls help from Sephardi Jews of Center Jap descent.
The workplace of Israel’s Chief Sephardi Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef mentioned he had despatched Ben-Gvir what it referred to as a “protest letter … urging the minister to not go as much as the Temple Mount once more”.
“Even when claimed {that a} rabbinical minority has personally permitted you to do that, it’s clear that as a minister within the authorities of Israel you need to not take motion in opposition to the directions of the Chief Rabbinate courting again generations,” mentioned the letter, seen by Reuters.
Though the go to to the positioning handed with out incident, it risked rising frictions with Palestinians after a surge of violence within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution in 2022.
Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group which controls Gaza, mentioned on Monday that extra such behaviour “will deliver all events nearer to a giant conflict”.
Writing by Dan Williams; Enhancing by Angus MacSwan
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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