At an event marking 20 years since Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon announced that Israel has no plans to change the status quo on Har Habayis. The minister made his comments amid a renewed effort by Israeli lawmakers to change the current situation, the religious discrimination against Jews on Har Habayis.

It must be pointed out that despite the ongoing efforts to permit Jews to daven feely on Har Habayis and to encourage ascending to the holy site in spiritual purity, Gedolei Yisrael Shlita remain adamantly opposed to visiting Har Habayis. This is also the position held by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

The senior minister stated “Israel will act with wisdom and intelligence to protect the important peace agreement with Jordan and to avoid needless tensions in holy places”.

Ya’alon explained the treaty is based on mutual Israeli/Jordanian interests, praising the behind-the-scenes efforts of the late Jordanian leader, King Hussein. He added Israeli leaders at that time were also visionaries, viewing the future and realizing the benefit of such a treaty.

Ya’alon ended with a reference to regional changes and the presence and threat of ISIS today.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)