BICOM

Home Secretary Sajid Javid became the first UK Government minister in 19 years to visit the Western Wall during a three-day visit to Israel and the West Bank.

Javid visited the holy sites in Jerusalem yesterday, including the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, and Church of Holy Sepulchre, and prayed at the al-Aqsa Mosque.

Javid said he was “Honoured to visit the [Temple Mount]”, and that “freedom of religion and belief is a non-negotiable right for all peoples, and the UK government is committed to tackling anti-Muslim hatred, antisemitism, the persecution of Christians and any other impediments to this right both in the UK and around the world.” He added on Twitter that he was: “Honoured to be first British Cabinet Minister to say a prayer at Al Aqsa Mosque.”

At the Western Wall Javid was accompanied by the Chief Rabbi of the Western Wall, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz. Rabinowitz said that Javid’s visit: “Is evidence that it is possible for Jews and Muslims to live together in this small place without harming one another.” Javid said: “We love Jewish heritage very much and appreciate it.”

The Home Secretary said he also had a “deeply moving and emotional visit” to Yad Vashem on Tuesday morning.

On Sunday Javid met with Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and UN Middle East envoy Nicoklay Mladenov. Javid said 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.”

Javid also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. They discussed strengthening security cooperation between Britain and Israel and Netanyahu thanked Javid for banning the whole of Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation.

Javid has previously visited Israel with family, on business, and on a Conservative Friends of Israel delegation in 2010. He has said that he: “Quickly learned to admire Israel’s extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit.”