US State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said Thursday the White House did not pressure Israel into removing recently-installed security equipment from the Temple Mount and that the decision was taken by Israel alone.
The comments came in a press conference during which Nauert was asked whether the Trump administration had pushed Israel into its decision to remove metal detectors and security camera equipment from the compound’s entrances, which it installed in the aftermath of a deadly terror attack earlier in the month that claimed the lives of two Israeli policemen .
Heather Nauert says US never pressured Israel over Temple Mount security
"Israel’s security is among our top priorities. We would never pressure Israel into making a security decision for political purposes," Nauert claimed. "The Trump administration has been and will remain engaged in that situation as Mr. Greenblatt, Mr Kushner—backed by our State Department folks—will remain involved.”
Nauert added that the US recognized “that it’s going to take some space and some time to get us to a better place.”
Asked whether the decision was made by Israel for political purposes, Nauert responded unequivocally.
“No did not (sic). We would not do that. We would not get involved in a decision like that. It’s their decision. We recognize that the sides have to be willing to work together on this,”
Removing the metal detectors from the compound, along with the security cameras, received the backing of Shin Bet Director Nadav Argaman, who charged that the Security Cabinet’s decision was the most appropriate step for the time being.
Nevertheless, Israel’s removal of all recently installed security measures a failed to placate furious worshipers and merely preceded fresh and reinvigorated waves of protest and violence on Thursday evening.
In an effort to stem the rising tide of violence, the Israel Police announced Friday that entry to Jerusalem’s Old City and the Temple Mount would be restricted to men over 50 .