Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said Thursday that “Israel has not granted the Palestinians authority over the Temple Mount,” according to a report by The Jerusalem Post.
The prime minister was quoted as saying that he would consult with the Chief Rabbinate before taking any steps regarding the Temple Mount.
Barak made the statements in a letter to Israeli Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau and Sephardi Chief Rabbi Eliahu Bakshi-Doron.
Israel has agreed to send chief negotiator Gilead Sher to Washington on Thursday for discussions on reducing the violence, a step that is expected to lead to direct talks after Barak and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat agreed with reservations to US President Bill Clinton’s proposals for a peace deal – Albawaba.com
