ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA NEWS RELEASE   Jerusalem is Holy to Jews, Provides Access to all Religions, & It’s Barely Important to Muslims - Israel Must Control All Jerusalem Holy Sites   British Minister of State for the Middle East Lord Tariq Ahmad visited the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism, and affirmed Jordan’s custodial role there tweeting, “I emphasized the UK’s unwavering support for Jordanian Custodianship of Jerusalem’s Holy Sites [and] for the Status Quo.” Ahmad, who is Muslim, prayed at the site. Zionist Organization of America National President Morton A. Klein stated, “The hypocrisy of Minister Ahmad, and indeed the British government, is astounding. A British Muslim minister can go on the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism, and pray but an Israeli Jewish minister or any Jew can’t. This ‘status quo’ where Jews are not allowed to pray in Jerusalem is absurd and antisemitic and unjust and must be ended. The so-called ‘international community’—which cannot agree on anything except condemnation of Israel and Jews—has no business telling Israel what the policies should be on the Temple Mount or anywhere else in the Jewish state. (Notice it’s called the Temple Mount, not the Mosque Mount, because that’s where the two holy Jewish Temples were originally built.)  “The idea that Jordan should have custodianship over Jerusalem’s holy sites is nonsensical,” Klein continued. “When Jordan occupied and controlled Jerusalem’s holy sites from 1948 to 1967, they destroyed nearly 60 synagogues and desecrated all the Jewish sites, ethnically cleansed the Jews from the territory, prohibited Jewish access to their holy sites, and restricted Christian access to theirs. It’s only under Israeli sovereignty that holy sites of all religions are open and preserved. Also, no Arab leader except the king of Jordan ever visited Jerusalem, and the majority of people living in Jerusalem since 1850 were Jews. Furthermore, the word Jerusalem is never mentioned in the Muslim Koran, but is mentioned 700 times in the Jewish holy books. Jerusalem has never been the capital of any country throughout history, except for Israel. There needs to be more Israeli control over holy sites, not less.”     View our Website     ZOOM With ZOA Book Club Wednesday, January 18 at 1:00 PM EST Featuring Caroline Glick "Shackled Warrior" Register - January 18     Share This Email   Founded in 1897, ZOA played a key role in the Jewish State's re-establishment. Today, ZOA is the leading major American Jewish organization courageously defending Israel and the Jewish people; fighting against all forms of antisemitism, including anti-Jewish boycotts; and promoting the Jewish people's lawful right to live in and settle historic Jewish lands. ZOA exposes that a Palestinian state would endanger Israel's existence; presents the facts about the Arab/Islamic war against Israel; and combats the anti-Israel lie that Israel is an "occupier" of her own land. ZOA spearheaded long battles to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and apply civil rights protections to Jewish students. ZOA provides free legal assistance and programs to pro-Israel students at numerous college campuses. ZOA's bold, unapologetic voice has a significant impact on public discourse and policy. DONATE NOW Copyright © Zionist Organization of America 2022, All rights reserved. Zionist Organization of America | 633 Third Ave, 31 B, New York, NY 10017 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]