The visit of the far-right Israeli Minister of National Security to the Esplanade des Mosques represents a risk of “widespread conflagration”, according to the Quai d'Orsay.
French diplomacy “condemns” the visit Thursday of the Israeli Minister of National Security, Ben Gvir, to the esplanade of the mosques, “in violation of the historical status quo of the holy places in Jerusalem”, in a declaration this Friday.
“In Jerusalem, the now systematic questioning of the status quo on the Esplanade des Mosques creates a risk of widespread conflagration,” estimates the spokesperson for the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Paris “recalls the need to preserve the historical status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem and underlines the importance of Jordan's specific role in this regard.”
A place subject to recurring tensions
Since entering the government at the end of 2022, far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir has visited this disputed site several times, located in the sector of the Holy City occupied and annexed by Israel. The place is at the very heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the subject of recurring tensions.
The third holiest place in Islam, the Esplanade des Mosques is built on the ruins of the second Jewish temple, destroyed in the year 70 by the Romans. For Jews, it is the Temple Mount, the holiest place in Judaism.
Under a status quo decreed after Israel's conquest of East Jerusalem in 1967, non-Muslims can go to the esplanade at specific times, without praying there.
This visit was denounced as a “provocation” by the Palestinian Authority as well as by Jordan, which administers the place.
