White House Rejects Any Action Jeopardizing Status Quo of Jerusalem Holy Sites

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (EPA)
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (EPA)
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White House Rejects Any Action Jeopardizing Status Quo of Jerusalem Holy Sites

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (EPA)
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (EPA)

The White House on Tuesday affirmed that any unilateral action that jeopardizes the status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem is unacceptable.

The US position came after Tuesday’s visit of Israeli extreme-right firebrand Itamar Ben-Gvir to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque.

“The US stands firmly... for preservation of the status quo with respect to holy sites in Jerusalem,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

“Any unilateral action that jeopardizes the status quo is unacceptable.”

For his part, US State Department Spokesman Ned Price said Washington is “deeply concerned” by Ben Gvir’s visit to the Temple Mount earlier on Tuesday.

Asked about the visit during a press briefing, Price said the US believes the visit has “the potential to exacerbate tensions and to provoke violence.”

Price added the US has had direct talks with representatives of the (Israeli) prime minister's office regarding the visit.



Lebanon's President Tells US Senior Official Israeli Occupation in Remaining Points Must End

Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo
Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo
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Lebanon's President Tells US Senior Official Israeli Occupation in Remaining Points Must End

Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo
Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday told US national security adviser Mike Waltz that it is necessary to end the Israeli occupation in the remaining points and complete the implementation of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Israeli troops withdrew on Tuesday from most of south Lebanon but Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel would temporarily remain in five points needed for its security, Reuters reported.

The Lebanese presidency said that Lebanon would consider any remaining Israeli presence on Lebanese land an occupation.

Israel had been due to withdraw by January 26, but this was extended to February 18 after it accused Lebanon of failing to enforce the terms. Lebanon at the time accused Israel of delaying its withdrawal.