US condemns Israeli defense minister’s visit to Al-Aqsa mosque

WASHINGTON: United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States opposed Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as Temple Mount, on Tuesday.

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“These provocative actions only exacerbate tensions at a pivotal moment when all focus should be on the ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire agreement and secure the release of all hostages and create the conditions for broader regional stability,” Blinken said in a statement on Tuesday.