The U.N. Security Council recently convened an emergency session merely to chastise the Jewish state for the grave offense of a Jew walking on Judaism’s holiest site.

Israel’s new National Security Minister, Ben Gvir, had taken a peaceful 13-minute tour of Temple Mount — one of the holiest places on earth for Jews and Christians alike — praying as he walked.

But Jews are not allowed to pray on the Temple Mount, thanks to the rank antisemitism of the Muslim and Palestinian community. The United Nations, ever eager to placate the Islamic world, held an emergency session.

At the meeting, Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Gilad Erdan fiercely protested the session that was convened solely to attack Israel.

“Minister Ben Gvir’s recent visit to the Temple Mount was not an incursion to Al Aqsa or any other fabrication,” Erdan said. “It was in line with … the existing agreement dating to 1967 on Temple Mount access by Jews, Christians and Palestinians.”

“Jews are permitted to visit the holiest site in Judaism,” Erdan said. “It is the right of every Jew.” And he also charged that by elevating a mere Temple Mount visit, the U.N. “legitimizes the poison and lies of the Palestinians.”

The Security Council gave its tacit approval to that Palestinian poison when it met. At the meeting, Palestinian envoy to the U.N. Riyad Mansour denied any Jewish claim to the Temple Mount.

Yet, it was the site of two Jewish temples, the place where Jews worshipped the Lord for some 1,000 years, a place dear to Jewish hearts and minds. But Muslims call it “Haram al-Sharif,” or “the Noble Sanctuary,” a reference to the al-Aqsa Mosque built on the Temple Mount some 600 years after Rome demolished Herod’s Temple in 70 A.D. And Palestinians claim the contested site solely for themselves.

“Haram al-Sharif is in occupied Palestinian territory,” Mansour insisted. “Israel has no claim and no right to sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and therefore no right over Haram al-Sharif.”

By that twisted logic, no Jew can visit Judaism’s holiest site — a view pushed by the Palestinians, the U.N. and the Biden administration that unnecessarily amplifies the reaction to Ben Gvir’s brief and uneventful visit.

Israel needs our help more than ever. Fax YOUR SIGNED COPY of our powerful petition to Congress now. Urge Congress to end the discriminatory and bigoted “status quo” that Team Biden is enforcing on the Jewish people.

The reaction to Ben Gvir’s Temple Mount walk also shows why Israel needs vocal and well-positioned advocates like CIDI in its corner. Please stand with CIDI to defend and bless Israel, which is increasingly alone and under a harsh spotlight on the international stage. Please help fund our work with a generous donation today.

May God bless you for standing with Israel!

Mat Staver
Chairman
Christians in Defense of Israel

Sources:

“Ben Gvir Visits Temple Mount for 1st Time as Minister, despite Indicating he’d delay.” The Times of Israel, January 3, 2023. Timesofisrael.com/despite-report-hed-delay-ben-gvir-visits-temple-mount-for-1st-time-as-minister/.

Tress, Luke. “‘Poison, Lies’: Israeli, Palestinian Envoys Spar at Fiery UN Session on Temple Mount.” The Times of Israel, January 6, 2023. Timesofisrael.com/poison-lies-israeli-palestinian-envoys-spar-at-fiery-un-session-on-temple-mount/.