Freedom of worship?

“Chilean president sorry for Temple Mount snafu” (June 27) describes the Chilean president’s apology for allowing Palestinian officials to accompany him on his visit to the Temple Mount.

Not only should Palestinian officials not be allowed to accompany visiting diplomats, neither should Wakf officials. A visit to the Temple Mount accompanied by Wakf officials undermines the very purpose of having foreign diplomats visit Israel. The Temple Mount is Judaism’s holiest site and is the most significant religious and historical location for the Jewish people. Visiting diplomats should be told the Jewish/Israeli version of the story of the Temple Mount, not the Muslim/Jordanian/Palestinian version. It is about time that Israel appointed an official Israeli representative to accompany foreign diplomats on visits to the Temple Mount.

In addition, the article quotes the Foreign Ministry as saying, “We must distinguish between absolute freedom of worship that Israel safeguards.” If only it were true! Unfortunately, Israel safeguards freedom of worship on the Temple Mount only for Muslims. Non-Muslims, including Jews, are reminded by the police before entering the Temple Mount that they may not bring any religious items and may not perform any visible act of worship including bowing, praying, singing, etc.

We all look forward to the day when Israel will indeed safeguard “absolute freedom of worship” on the Temple Mount as prophesied by Isaiah (chapter 56, verse 7). DAVID NEUSTADTER Nof Ayalon