Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the government will retain control over holy sites in Jerusalem in the framework of any peace agreement. At the same time, representatives of all religions will have free access to religious relics.
The comments of the head of the Israeli government came amid media reports about the contents of the US administration's peace plan.
Netanyahu stressed that under any peace agreement Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel. In addition, the status quo of the Temple Mount will also be preserved.
"Under any agreement that we have, we will always support the status quo of the Temple Mount and all major religious shrines," the Israeli Prime Minister quotes the Times of Israel.
In an interview with CNN, Netanyahu praised the decision of the head of the White House on Jerusalem. At the same time, he rejected the assertion that this step was intended to help Israel strengthen its "annexed" territory in Judea and Samaria.
Netanyahu added that he wants peace with the Palestinians. According to him, Trump's decision on Jerusalem does not mean an end to the solution of the conflict by the formula of "two states".
"If you want peace, then you must negotiate. But the fact is that Abbas refuses to negotiate. They are constantly withdrawing from the peace process, because they are mostly spoiled by the international community, "the Israeli prime minister said.