Palestinian officials are demanding an apology from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for remarks he made saying that a Jewish temple existed atop the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
Guterres told Israel Radio on Friday that it is "completely clear the Temple that the Romans destroyed in Jerusalem was a Jewish temple," the Jerusalem Post reported. He added that there is "no doubt" the site is also holy to Christianity and Islam as well.
Adnan al-Husseini, the Palestinian Authority minister for Jerusalem affairs, condemned Guterres for "neglecting" the UNESCO resolution that "considered the Al-Aksa Mosque of pure Islamic heritage."
Al-Husseini said the remarks "violated all legal, diplomatic, and humanitarian customs, overstepped his role as secretary general," adding that Guterres "must issue an apology to the Palestinian people."
Guterres also said Friday that while he believes in a two-state solution, he has no intention to advocate for a peace process between Israelis and Palestinians unless asked.
Ahmad Majdalani, an official with the Palestine Liberation Organization, said in a statement that the remarks "undermine the trustworthiness of the U.N. as a body that should support occupied peoples."
