Israel PM backtracks following remarks on Jewish right to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett today backpedaled on earlier statements he made which he said Israel will preserve freedom of worship for Jews at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

In a statement, his office said “There is no change in the status quo,” adding that he had intended to say he would ensure Jewish access to visit the Muslim holy site and not to worship there.

Jews are only permitted to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound but not to perform prayers within it.

Al Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam and has long been a site of Israeli aggression against Palestinians.

Yesterday over 1,300 Jewish settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque under the cover of occupation forces and accompanied by members of the Knesset. Bennett thanked security forces “for managing the events on the Temple Mount responsibly and with discretion while preserving freedom of worship for Jews on the Mount,” Haaretz reported. Palestinians worshippers were violently dispersed from the area to make way for the settlers to enter.

READ: Israel officially supports ‘orderly and safe’ storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque