Israel / Palestinian Territories – Visit of the Israeli Minister of National Security to al Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount (Jan. 3, 2023)

France reiterates its concern following the visit of the Israeli Minister of National Security to al Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount on January 3. It underlines the need to preserve the historic status quo of the Holy Places in Jerusalem and underlines the importance of Jordan’s specific role in this respect. France will condemn any attempt to call it into question and notes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s commitment to ensuring its respect.

France also underlines the urgent need to stop the settlement-building policy, which endangers the implementation of a solution of two States, living side by side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States. That is the only solution that can bring fair and lasting peace for the Israelis and Palestinians.

We also restate our great concern in light of the rise in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Iran

An Iranian Justice Ministry spokesman mentioned the arrest of two French citizens and a Belgian yesterday. Can you tell us if these are new arrests, in addition to the seven we are already aware of, or is this a reference to two of the French citizens who are already under arrest?

As far as we are aware, there have been no new arrests. At this stage, we have no information other than what was contained in the Iranian officials’ statements. We are closely monitoring the situation and call for the immediate release of the French nationals, who are being held arbitrarily.