Chilean president apologizes for Temple Mount visit with Palestinian officials

Israel’s Foreign Ministry reprimanded Chile on Wednesday after Chilean President Sebastián Piñera visited the Temple Mount on Tuesday with senior Palestinian officials. 

By World Israel News and JNS

Chilean President Sebastián Piñera is currently on a three-day visit to Israel, during which he is meeting with both Israeli and Palestinian officials.

On Tuesday, Piñera visited the Temple Mount, which is Judaism’s holiest site, with senior Palestinian officials. This move was reportedly a violation of the understanding he worked out with Israel beforehand.

Palestinian Authority Jerusalem Affairs Minister Fadi al-Hadami was one of the officials, according to AFP.

Today he met with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and afterwards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Thursday he is planning to meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

During his meeting with Rivlin, Piñera reportedly apologized for the Temple Mount visit, TPS reported. Piñera told Rivlin that his trip to the Temple Mount was scheduled to be a private visit, and that Palestinian officials showed up of their own accord, without being invited.

Chile has the largest Palestinian community outside the Middle East.

The Chilean president also visited the Western Wall and Yad Vashem.

ChileSebastian PineraTemple Mount