From the Liveblog of
Sunday, September 8, 2024
Herzog tells US envoy Lew that Israel will uphold Temple Mount religious status quo
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
In a meeting with US Ambassador Jack Lew in Jerusalem, President Isaac Herzog stresses that Israel will uphold the religious status quo on the Temple Mount, an official at The President’s Residence tells The Times of Israel.
Herzog emphasizes “Israel’s unequivocal commitment to preserving the status quo at the holy site – in accordance with political agreements laid down since 1967, and in the spirit of the rulings by leading rabbis and religious figures over the last 100 years.”
Israel has for decades agreed to maintain the status quo on the Temple Mount, whereby Jews are allowed to visit under police guard but not pray. The number of Jewish visitors has ballooned over the past few years and authorities have quietly allowed Jewish prayers.
The meeting comes after National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir expressed support two weeks ago for the establishment of a synagogue on the Temple Mount. It also comes in the lead-up to the Jewish high holidays, a time for potential escalation in Jerusalem, and a month ahead of the one-year anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 massacre.
According to the official, Lew raises the death of American-Turkish citizen Aysenur Eygi, who was shot and killed, allegedly by IDF troops, during a protest near Nablus in the northern West Bank on Saturday. Herzog expresses his sorrow over her death, and adds that the issue is currently under investigation by the IDF.
Herzog says he is “deeply saddened by the horrific murder of Yuri Birnbaum, Yohanan Shchori, and a third Israeli this morning in the abhorrent terror attack at the Allenby Crossing. I send a warm embrace and my heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims. May they know no more sorrow.
“The peace agreements between Israel and its neighbors are a cornerstone of stability in the region,” he continues without mentioning Jordan by name, “and we trust all parties will thoroughly investigate the incident and work to prevent future attacks.”
Herzog also stresses his appreciation for US efforts toward the release of the hostages held by Hamas.
