Argentine Jews gathered outside the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires on Thursday to call for peace and to express solidarity with Israelis amid the recent wave of Palestinian terrorism. The turnout was estimated in the hundreds despite the inclement weather. Israel's Ambassador to Argentina Dorit Shavit spoke at the rally, and stressed that the Israeli government does not encourage or endorse any bid to convert the Temple Mount into a space for Jewish prayer. "Since 1967, Israel has maintained the sacred site knowing that it's important for all denominations, and it's only Muslims who have the right to pray there. We don't. We can only visit and then come back, not pray, and that's important," Shavit said. Argentina, with almost 200,000 Jews, is home to the largest Jewish community in Latin America. Eleven Israelis have been killed in stabbings and shooting attacks since the recent wave of violence began, in mid-September. The surge in violence has been spurred by religious and political tensions over the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a site sacred to both Muslims and Jews.
Credit: Reuters
Argentines voice solidarity with Israel amid wave of terrorism
Hundreds gather outside Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires to decry surge in violence in Jerusalem • Israeli envoy to Argentina Dorit Shavit reiterates Israel's pledge to preserving status quo on the Temple Mount, maintaining all religions' sacred sites.
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