- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

US Spokesman Backtracks On Claim That Israel Broke Temple Mount Status Quo

© AP Photo / Sebastian ScheinerThe Dome of the Rock Mosque in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, known by the Jews as the Temple Mount, is seen in Jerusalem's Old City
The Dome of the Rock Mosque in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, known by the Jews as the Temple Mount, is seen in Jerusalem's Old City - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Confused US State Department Press Spokesman John Kirby first told Wednesday's daily press briefing that Israel was guilty of breaking the status quo at the Temple Mount, then retracted the statement on Twitter.

Israeli border policemen check a Palestinian car at a checkpoint in Jabel Mukaber, in an area of the West Bank that Israel captured in a 1967 war and annexed to the city of Jerusalem October 14, 2015 - Sputnik International
Two Weeks of Unabated Israeli Clashes Leave Dozens Dead, Including Children
US State Department Press Spokesman John Kirby took to his Twitter account on Wednesday to retract a claim he made earlier in the day, that Israelis have broken the status quo at the Temple Mount religious site.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, Kirby was asked about the recent upsurge in violence between Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem, and whether the US considers visits to the Temple Mount by Israelis to be "incitement."

"I’m not going to be able to characterize every single act with terminology," answered Kirby.

"We want to see the status quo restored, the status quo arrangement there on Haram al-Sharif and the Temple Mount, and for both sides to take actions to de-escalate the tensions."

Palestinian protesters take up position during clashes with Israeli troops in the West Bank city of Hebron October 13, 2015 - Sputnik International
Hundreds of Palestinians Clash With Israeli Military on Gaza Strip Border
Kirby was then asked whether the US administration believes the status quo at the Temple Mount has been broken.

"Well, certainly, the status quo has not been observed, which has led to a lot of the violence," stated the press spokesman.

However, seeming to have had a period of reflection, Kirby tweeted a "clarification" of what he had said at Wednesday's briefing.

"I did not intend to suggest that status quo at Temple Mount/Haram Al-Sharif has been broken," wrote Kirby.

The Temple Mount, known to Muslims as Haram el Sharif [Sacred Noble Sanctuary], lies in the Old City of Jerusalem, which was captured by Israeli forces during the six-day war in 1967. Since then, an unwritten arrangement has forbid non-Muslims from praying at the holy site.

The holy site, where the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock are situated, is one flashpoint of clashes between Jews and Arabs in Jerusalem. 

Palestinians claim that Jews are violating the status quo by praying there, and fear that the site will be divided. Right-wing Jewish politicians push for the right of Jews to pray at the Temple Mount, which is the holiest site in Judaism, and the third holiest site in Islam.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала