Right-wing groups call for international recognition of Temple Mount

‘The time has come to recognize the heart,’ says World Betar leader.

By TAMARA ZIEVE
Updated: DECEMBER 12, 2017 02:27
French immigrants visit Mount of Olives as part of tour organized by World Betar and the Israel is Forever association. (photo credit: WORLD BETAR)
French immigrants visit Mount of Olives as part of tour organized by World Betar and the Israel is Forever association.
(photo credit: WORLD BETAR)
Less than a week after the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, leader of the Zionist movement World Betar is calling for international recognition of the Temple Mount, Nablus and Hebron.
“After the Trump declaration, the time has come to recognize the heart, the Temple Mount,” said Neria Meir, head of the Betar World leadership.
Meir’s comments were made on Sunday as hundreds of French immigrants to Israel participated in a tour of east Jerusalem organized by World Betar together with the Israel is Forever association.
The groups are challenging part of US President Donald Trump’s speech which called on all parties to respect the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites, including the Temple Mount.
Meir said, “Just as the Balfour Declaration did not create the right of the people of Israel to the Land of Israel – it was only the result of 20 years of Zionist activity begun by Herzl began – it is not the Trump Declaration that gives us the right to the unified city of Jerusalem, but our activity, tours and strength in the struggle for the sake of Jerusalem, is what gave birth to the Trump Declaration.”
He added: “We are privileged to be the first tour to visit east Jerusalem since Trump’s declaration, and we will not stop touring the Temple Mount, Nablus and Hebron until the nations of the world recognize these places as well.”
Over 300 participants of the tour visited Ammunition Hill, the Tomb of Samuel, and graves of IDF soldiers at the Mount of Olives.
Likud MK Sharren Haskel was among participants of the tour.
“It is not taken for granted that an international president has recognized our identity and it is of great importance,” she said. “I hope that leaders from all over the world will recognize the Jerusalem Declaration, and I hope that their dream that Jerusalem will be in Palestinian hands is a dream that will never come true.”
Israel is Forever chairman Jacques Kupfer said, “For 3,000 years we have been faithful to Jerusalem, and at least once a year all the Jews say, ‘Next year in the built-up Jerusalem,’ and at every wedding we pray, ‘If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, forget my right hand.’ We have returned to Jerusalem and the time has come for us to return to every part of the country.” of the country.”