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Sajid Javid becomes first British minister in 19 years to visit Jerusalem’s Western Wall
Two day visit to Israel also sees Home Secretary have talks with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh in Ramallah
July 1, 2019 15:27
Two day visit to Israel also sees Home Secretary have talks with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh in Ramallah
July 1, 2019 15:27Home Secretary Sajid Javid has become the first British minister in 19 years to visit Jerusalem’s Western Wall during his latest trip to Israel.
Mr Javid was photographed at the Kotel alongside the Chief Rabbi of the Western Wall, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, on Monday.
He later said he could feel the spiritual power of the site and also revealed that his father had always believed in the connection between Muslims and Jews.
A British Consulate-General statement said Mr Javid had also held meetings with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and other officials in Ramallah. According to the the statement, Mr Javid had said: “The UK’s position that only a political solution based on a two-state solution could unlock the peace, prosperity and freedom desired by the Palestinian people.”
Mr Javid is also quoted as having told UN Mideast envoy Nickolay Mladenov at another meeting: “I’m concerned about worrying trends across the OPTs [Occupied Palestinian Territories], in particular the situation in Gaza and the financial crisis facing the Palestinian Authority.
“The UK remains committed to making progress towards a two-state solution that leads to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as a shared capital,” he said. “Only this will further unlock the incredible potential of this region and its people.”
At the Wall in Jerusalem, Mr Javid met the Director General of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mordechai Eliav, who gave him a brief history of the importance of Jerusalem for the Jewish people throughout the generations.
Rabbi Rabinowitz joined Mr Javid in the reading from the Book of Psalms, before the Conservative MP placed a note between the stones of the Western Wall as in traditional in visiting the holy site.
The rabbi added: "Your visit here is evidence that in this small place Jews and Muslims can live together without harming each other."
Mr Javid responded saying: “We love Jewish heritage very much and appreciate it.”
The Home Secretary has been one of Israel’s most staunchest supporters and is a leading member of Conservative Friends of Israel. He has previously vested Israel for his honeymoon.
His brother also visited the Western Wall as a child.
On Sunday, after landing, Mr Javid tweeted: “Landed in Tel Aviv for a two-day trip - looking forward to discussing security, peace and prosperity with our Israeli and Palestinian friends.”