The political Israeli leadership received Chilean president Sebastian Pinera on Wednesday amid tension.
The Foreign Ministry summoned Chilean ambassador to Tel Aviv Monica Jimenez for a session, when she and embassy employees who accompanied the Chilean president in his visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque were rebuked.
The FM stated Wednesday that, “Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that the government takes seriously any infringement of Israeli sovereignty on the Temple Mount, especially one that violates an agreed-upon procedure.”
The statement went on to add that: “One must separate between complete religious freedom, which Israel insists on upholding, and the maintenance of our sovereignty over the Temple Mount.”
The Chilean president arrived as a guest to the Palestinian authority on Tuesday, and informed Israel that it is a private visit – he was keen to visit sacred sites of the three religions, and was accompanied by a huge number of Palestinian officials and ministers including Palestinian Authority Affairs Minister Fadi al-Hadm.
According to the Israeli FM, the minister’s participation is a violation to the agreed upon visit-procedure, especially that the Chileans are aware that Israel rejects any activity for PA figures in Jerusalem which it considers the capital (the east and the west).
“Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people since the days of King David,” President Reuven Rivlin said.
“Our historical connection to Jerusalem, and our sovereignty in Jerusalem, make us responsible for preserving Jerusalem as a city of faith and peace,” he added.
Chilean President apologized for allowing Palestinian officials to accompany him during his Temple Mount visit on Tuesday, clarifying that he had not invited Palestinian officials to join him, and had not even known that they were there.
This is the place for a meeting where the three religions can cooperate with each other,” Pinera said, expressing delight for visiting Israel for the second time since becoming a president five years ago.