Next US defence secretary Pete Hegseth called for new Jewish temple at Al-Aqsa

Donald Trump’s choice as the next United States defence secretary has called for the building of a third Jewish temple on the site of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.Pete Hegseth, a former TV show host, was picked by the incoming US President Trump for the role following his election victory earlier this month.

Hegseth has previously touted his avowedly pro-Israel credentials, which derive in part from his fundamentalist Christian beliefs.

Speaking at an event in Jerusalem in 2018 he said there was “no reason why the miracle of re-establishing the temple on the Temple Mount isn’t possible”, using the Israeli name for the raised plateau in occupied East Jerusalem where Al-Aqsa Mosque stands.