Hamas And PIJ Threaten War In Response To Israeli Official Announcing Temple Mount Visit

A visit by Ben Gvir would be the first time in five years that an Israeli Security minister visited the Temple Mount. His office announced his intention to visit the location. Image | Enhanced by Donald Standeford.

By Donald Standeford, SJ Founder/Publisher
January 03, 2023 01:00 am UTC
Modified: 2023-01-03 01:00 am

ISRAEL - The Hamas terrorist organization has threatened "explosive violence" and said that if Israeli National Security Minister Ben Gvir visits the Temple Mount, the visit would lead to violence and a "declaration of war".

The Palestinian Authority released a warning on Monday after Ben Gvir had announced his intention to visit the Temple Mount, that any attempt to change the status quo at the Temple Mount, known by the Palestinian Authority as the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, or "annex" any part of the West Bank would lead to a declaration of war, and would lead to violence.

The new Israeli National Security Minister Ben Gvir announced his intention to visit the volatile Temple Mount in Jerusalem this week, but did not announce the exact date and time that he intends to visit.

This would be the first time in five years that an Israeli Security minister visited the Temple Mount. His office contacted the Israeli Police last week to announce his intention to visit the location.

The police are expected to carry out a hearing on the intended visit on Monday, which will include police commissioner Kobi Shabtai.

KANN news reported the visit, saying that he is expected to visit on either Tuesday or the day of the Asara Betevet fast that commemorates the siege on Jerusalem. They also reported, however, that Ben Gvir may decide to postpone the visit after the news of his intention to visit was released to news agencies.

Ben Gvir Says "Keep Talking About The Temple Mount" Despite Danger To Himself

Despite the potential danger his visit being made public might bring, Ben Gvir urged the Israeli media to keep talking about the Temple Mount.

He said, "I thank all the media for their interest in the subject of the ascent to the Temple Mount. Indeed, the Temple Mount is an important issue and, as I said, I plan to go there on an official visit."

"Regarding the schedule - I promise to update when I plan on doing so. Until then, I would love for the news broadcasts to open every evening with the question of when I intend to go up to the Temple Mount," he added.

The Palestinian Authority spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudaineh said, "the repeated Israeli threats to change the historical status quo in the al-Aqsa Mosque would have serious consequences for everyone".

He added that “All these complex issues lay the foundation for a new tense and turbulent phase, which will undoubtedly be a different historical phase. The occupation must be well aware that Jerusalem will always remain the key to security and peace".

PLO Secretary-General Hussein al-Sheikh said "Ben-Gvir’s threat to storm al-Aqsa Mosque as security minister is a blatant and shameless challenge that requires a Palestinian, Arab and international response".

He added that the Palestinian leadership is taking international steps in order to "expose the practices and policies of the occupation government," and is urging Palestinians to "defend" the al-Aqsa Mosque.

Senior Hamas official Haroun Nasser al-Din stated that the Israeli government would be held responsible if the "al-Aqsa Mosque is harmed" and said that the Palestinians will stop any attempt to change the status quo at the location.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also put out a warning that a visit by Ben Gvir to the Temple Mount would be seen as a declaration of war against the al-Aqsa Mosque.

Senior PIJ official Daoud Shehab released a statement that said that Ben Gvir does not only represent himself, "but the fascist government that has declared war on the Palestinian people".

He added that the actions by the Israeli government would lead to "an open intifada (uprising) with the Zionist entity”.

After Being Reinstated As Prime Minister, Netanyahu Visits Western Wall

After being reinstated as Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara visited the Western Wall to pray and give thanks to God for the establishment of Israel's 37th government.

The Prime Minister also responded to the United Nations referring to Israel as occupiers of "Palestinian Territory" and asking the World Court to give its opinion on Israel's "occupation" of the territory that Israel recaptured in the 1967 war.

The Israeli Prime Minister said that the United Nations' view was "distorted", and added "The Jewish people are not occupying its land and is not occupying its eternal capital Jerusalem. No U.N. resolution can distort this historical truth."

The Palestinians, however, called the UN decision "a new victory for the Palestinians and their just cause on the way to achieving their freedom and national independence."

The Palestinians claim that the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip are rightfully theirs. Israel also has claims to the land.

Archeological digs have confirmed that "Israel" first appeared in the historical records around 3,000 to 3,300 years ago, long before the nation of Israel was officially reestablished on May 14th, 1948.