Israel: Al-Aqsa Mosque 'Will be Replaced by Jewish Temple' Claims Housing Minister Uri Ariel
Israeli Housing Minister Uri Ariel says Israel will eventually replace Al-Aqsa Mosque with a Jewish temple. ● According to the Middle East Monitor, Ariel told Israeli radio station Kol Berama - controlled by the Jewish extremist movement Shas - the status quo could not continue at the Al-Aqsa Mosque as it "was built in the place of the holiest place for Israel". Ariel added that the construction of a third Jewish temple at the site is the primary demand of the Torah "as it is at the forefront of Jewish salvation", the report from Middle East Monitor said. In response to the rising tensions in the city surrounding the holy site, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called "on all Knesset [Israeli parliament] members to calm tensions regarding the Temple Mount and show responsibility and restraint". There are concerns among some Israeli officials that emboldened Israeli actions in relation to the holy site will lead to a third Palestinian intifada - or uprising. Last week, fierce clashes erupted in occupied East Jerusalem after the suspected gunman in the attempted assassination of right-wing Israeli activist Rabbi Yehuda Glick was shot dead by Israeli security forces near his house in the Abu Tor neighbourhood.
Middle East Monotor: Israel to build temple in place of Al-Aqsa, minister says