Israeli Knesset Speaker defends desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque

Speaker of the Israeli Knesset Yuli Edelstein yesterday defended the repeated desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlers.

In a letter to the Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, Edelstein said Jews ascending Al-Aqsa were not creating provocations and that the holy site has merely been used as an excuse for terrorist attacks.

On Tuesday, Police Inspector-General Yohanan Danino said it was a mistake to allow Members of the Knesset to go up to Al-Aqsa, especially legislators who support changing the status quo, as this increases tensions in the region.

“Their behaviour could endanger the public and its security and I cannot permit it,” he said.

Edelstein described Danino’s remarks as “dangerous”, saying they should not have been uttered by the police chief.

“We cannot accept a government employee, no matter how high up, casting in doubt the freedom of movement of elected officials who have [parliamentary] immunity and rights, including the right to ascend to the Temple Mount according to the law. Giving such advice is not his job,” Edelstein wrote.

Edelstein asked Aharonovich to make sure the Danino would not repeat such a “mistake” –criticising the Jews and public figures for entering Al-Aqsa Mosque.