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.
