The United States on Wednesday urged Israel to permit Muslims to worship at al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem during the upcoming month of Ramadan after a far-right minister suggested barring Palestinians from the West Bank from praying there.
“As it pertains to Al-Aqsa, we continue to urge Israel to facilitate access to Temple Mount for peaceful worshippers during Ramadan consistent with past practice,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, using the Jewish term for the area, considered the holiest in Judaism.
“It is not in Israel’s security interest to inflame tensions in the West Bank or in the broader region,” he said.
Israel has been deliberating how to handle worship in Jerusalem during Ramadan, which will begin on either March 10 or 11.
Hamas has called for a mass movement on al-Aqsa at the beginning of Ramadan.
Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of Hamas, said on Wednesday the group was calling on its supporters to travel to al-Aqsa to pray until the siege in Gaza is lifted.
Itamar Ben Gvir said last week that Palestinian residents of the West Bank should not be allowed to enter Jerusalem to pray during Ramadan, stating it was a security risk.
“We cannot have women and children hostage in Gaza and allow celebrations for Hamas on the Temple Mount,” Ben Gvir said.
The United States has been stressing a ceasefire-hostage deal before the beginning of Ramadan.
The latest death toll from the Gaza war stands at 29,954 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
