STORY: Egypt condemns Israeli minister's call to build synagogue in Al-Aqsa Mosque compound
SHOOTING TIME: Archives
DATELINE: Aug. 27, 2024
LENGTH: 00:00:49
LOCATION: Cairo
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the headquarters of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in New Administrative Capital

STORYLINE:

Egypt condemned the remarks made by Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, on Monday. Ben-Gvir stated that a synagogue should be built inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.

Egypt demanded that Israel legally adhere to the status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and refrain from harming Islamic holy sites, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The ministry stressed that Israel must comply with its obligations as an occupying power and stop making provocative remarks that could further escalate regional tensions.

The ministry warned that such remarks could hinder efforts toward a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and pose a serious threat to the final settlement of the Palestinian issue. The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, holds sacred significance for both Muslims and Jews and has long been a flashpoint for deadly violence between the two sides.

Under the status quo, non-Muslim worshippers may visit the site in the heart of the Old City but are not permitted to pray there. In remarks to the Israeli Army Radio earlier on Monday, Ben-Gvir said that "Jews can pray on the Temple Mount," adding that under his term as national security minister, there will be "no discrimination" between Jews and Muslims.

However, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that "there is no change in the status quo on the Temple Mount."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Cairo.
(XHTV)