Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has drawn international criticism after visiting the al Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem and engaging in Jewish prayers at the site considered one of the most volatile religious locations in the Middle East.
Photos and footage circulated online showed Ben-Gvir praying at the compound also known to Jews as the Temple Mount thereby violating a long-standing agreement that permits Jewish visits but strictly prohibits Jewish worship at the location.
Status Quo Remains Unchanged According To Israeli PM
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has clarified that there has been no official shift in the policy maintaining the status quo which recognises the site for Muslim worship only while permitting non Muslim visits under strict conditions.
Jordan and Palestinian Groups Condemn Visit
Jordan which serves as the official custodian of the holy site condemned the act as an unacceptable provocation. The militant group Hamas also condemned the visit calling it a deepening of the ongoing aggressions against our Palestinian people.
A representative of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the minister’s actions had crossed all red lines.
Historical And Religious Significance Heightens Tensions
The Temple Mount is the most sacred site in Judaism as the location of the two ancient Biblical temples while it is the third holiest site in Islam where Muslims believe Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.
Israel took control of the area during the 1967 Middle East war but allowed Jordan to continue as custodian while Israeli authorities retained responsibility for security and access.
Palestinian officials have consistently accused Israel of gradually undermining this arrangement noting increased tolerance of Jewish prayer at the site by Israeli police in recent years.
Waqf Says Minister Among Over A Thousand Jewish Visitors
The Waqf the Islamic religious authority managing the site reported that 1,250 Jewish visitors entered the compound on Sunday morning including Ben-Gvir.
While the minister has visited the site multiple times in the past the Times of Israel reports that this marks the first occasion he was seen openly praying during such a visit.
Minister Flanked By Police During Visit
Ben-Gvir arrived at the compound surrounded by Israeli police officers as he toured the location. During his visit he addressed recent videos released by Hamas showing frail Israeli hostages and urged for their immediate return.
Ben-Gvir Pushes Controversial Gaza Proposal
The minister also reiterated his controversial stance calling for Israel to occupy the entire Gaza Strip and to promote what he described as voluntary emigration of Palestinians from the territory.
However experts have warned that such actions could be interpreted as forced displacement and potentially classified as a war crime under international law.
Ben-Gvir Sanctioned By UK Over West Bank Remarks
Ben-Gvir is currently under sanctions by the United Kingdom due to what the UK described as repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank.
