Netanyahu Urges Calm in Jerusalem as He Vows to Maintain "Longstanding Worship Arrangements" on the Temple Mount

Teresa Neumann : Nov 3, 2014
Ian Deitch – My Way News

"Since the days of Abraham, the Temple Mount has been the holiest site for our people, and with this, the Temple Mount is also the most sensitive kilometer on earth. Alongside our determined stance for our rights, we are determined to maintain the status quo for all the religions in order to prevent an eruption." -Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

(Israel)—On Sunday, a week after a Palestinian seriously wounded a pro-Jewish prayer rights activist on the Temple Mount causing Israel to shut down the holy place to all visitors, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly vowed to "maintain longstanding worship arrangements" on the revered hill. (AP Photo/Ronen Zvulun, Pool) 

"Since the days of Abraham," said Netanyahu, "the Temple Mount has been the holiest site for our people, and with this, the Temple Mount is also the most sensitive kilometer on earth. Alongside our determined stance for our rights, we are determined to maintain the status quo for all the religions in order to prevent an eruption."

A report in the Jerusalem Post quoted Netanyahu as also sending a message that Israel would not tolerate trouble-makers in the days and months ahead. "We will certainly oppose all systematic and continuing attempts by Islamic extremist elements to stir up unrest," he said. "They would like to set a religious fire in Jerusalem and thereby ignite the entire Middle East. The place they are most determined [to ignite] is the Temple Mount."

"They are disseminating lies," he added, "to the effect that we intend to destroy or harm the Al-Aqsa Mosque and that we intend to prevent Muslims from praying there. They are using verbal and physical violence in an effort to exclude Jews from going up to the Temple Mount. We will not allow this to happen; neither will we alter the worship arrangements and the access to the Temple Mount that has been customary for decades."

In response to other incidents against worshipers, Israel recently approved a law that would enforce sentences of up to 20 years in prison for Palestinians who throw rocks at cars.

According to a report in My Way News, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas praised the Prime Minister for his stance in maintaining their longstanding worship arrangements, calling it a "step in the right direction."