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Ben-Gvir Says He Will Do ‘Everything’ to Change Situation in Al-Aqsa

Ultra-Orthodox Jews perform a ritual next to one of the gates of the Temple Mount, last October (AP)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews perform a ritual next to one of the gates of the Temple Mount, last October (AP)
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Ben-Gvir Says He Will Do ‘Everything’ to Change Situation in Al-Aqsa

Ultra-Orthodox Jews perform a ritual next to one of the gates of the Temple Mount, last October (AP)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews perform a ritual next to one of the gates of the Temple Mount, last October (AP)

Itamar Ben-Gvir, a leader in the Israeli far-right Otzma Yehudit party and who will be Israel's national security minister in the upcoming government, has vowed to change the status quo in Al-Aqsa mosque.

Ben-Gvir also pledged changing shooting regulations against Palestinians and the legalization of settlements.

Speaking to a Hebrew radio station on Sunday, Ben-Gvir responded to a direct question on whether he would allow Jews to pray in the Temple Mount by saying that he would do everything to prevent “racist policies.”

The racist policies Ben-Gvir was referring to are those that prevent Jews from performing public prayers in Al-Aqsa’s compound.

Ben-Gvir moved on to reiterate that he would work to change regulations on shooting Palestinians, describing the current directives as “stupid,” because they leave Israeli soldiers and police vulnerable.

He considered that attackers should be shot even when they do not pose a threat.

“Instead of waiting, those carrying a Molotov cocktail should be shot on the spot,” said Ben-Gvir.

He also stressed that he would work to change the reality of illegal settlements.

“In a few months, we will witness improvement and change, and we will achieve several results,” said Ben-Gvir.

Among other things, Ben-Gvir said he would examine whether a law would be passed in the Knesset to deport the families of those who attacked Israelis.

Ben-Gvir's statements came two days after his party concluded a controversial agreement with the Likud party headed by Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu. By virtue of that agreement, Ben-Gvir will become the minister of national security with expanded powers.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said that the Palestinians will launch a broad political movement to confront the upcoming ministerial coalition in Israel.

Al-Maliki confirmed that Palestinian leadership has sent messages to international bodies, especially the European Union, warning against the consequences of Ben-Gvir assuming ministerial positions in the next Israeli government.

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Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
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Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)

Italy plans to send an ambassador back to Syria after a decade-long absence, the country’s foreign minister said, in a diplomatic move that could spark divisions among European Union allies.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking in front of relevant parliamentary committees Thursday, announced Rome’s intention to re-establish diplomatic ties with Syria to prevent Russia from monopolizing diplomatic efforts in the Middle Eastern country.

Moscow is considered a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has remained in power despite widespread Western isolation and civilian casualties since the start of Syria’s civil war in March 2011.

Peaceful protests against the Assad government — part of the so-called “Arab Spring” popular uprisings that spread across some of the Middle East — were met by a brutal crackdown, and the uprising quickly spiraled into a full-blown civil war.

The conflict was further complicated by the intervention of foreign forces on all sides and a rising militancy, first by al-Qaida-linked groups and then the ISIS group until its defeat on the battlefield in 2019.

The war, which has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the country’s pre-war population of 23 million, is now largely frozen, despite ongoing low-level fighting.

The country is effectively carved up into areas controlled by the Damascus-based government of Assad, various opposition groups and Syrian Kurdish forces.

In the early days of the conflict, many Western and Arab countries cut off relations with Syria, including Italy, which has since managed Syria-related diplomacy through its embassy in Beirut.

However, since Assad has regained control over most of the territory, neighboring Arab countries have gradually restored relations, with the most symbolically significant move coming last year when Syria was re-admitted to the Arab League.

Tajani said Thursday the EU’s policy in Syria should be adapted to the “development of the situation,” adding that Italy has received support from Austria, Croatia, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus and Slovakia.

However, the US and allied countries in Europe have largely continued to hold firm in their stance against Assad’s government, due to concerns over human rights violations.