UN Security Council Meeting on Al Aqsa Mosque Controversy: The UN Security Council will meet today (January 5) to discuss an Israeli minister’s controversial visit to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. A situation of tension has arisen regarding this visit of the minister. While there is a lot of displeasure among the Palestinians due to this tour, many Muslim countries have also lodged objections against Israel regarding this. Following the request of the United Arab Emirates and China in this matter, a meeting of the 15-member council has been called at the United Nations Headquarters in New York at 3 pm today.
This is how the controversy started
Tuesday’s visit by Israel’s new National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is expected to spark a war. Actually, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is located in East Jerusalem and is occupied by Israel. It is the third holiest site in Islam. At the same time, the Jews call it the Temple Mount and they also consider it the most sacred place. There has been tension between the two countries for a long time regarding this. Under the long-standing status quo, non-Muslims can visit the site at specific times but are not allowed to pray there. While there has been a constant allegation from the Palestinian side that Israelis pray here secretly. Meanwhile, Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to this mosque on Tuesday has increased the tension.
Many countries including America have condemned
After this visit, Western governments warned that such steps could worsen the situation at Jerusalem’s holy sites. After this visit of Ben-Gvir, not only the United States, but also many other countries have condemned it. Let us tell you that America has been an old ally of Israel. Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesman for UN chief Antonio Guterres, reiterated on Wednesday that the ‘Secretary-General calls on all to refrain from taking steps that could escalate tensions in and around Jerusalem’.
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