In a move that has heightened tensions in the already volatile region, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's far-right National Security Minister, prayed at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, a site revered in Judaism as the Temple Mount. This act is viewed as a significant breach of a longstanding arrangement that permits Jewish visits to the location but prohibits prayer. Photos and videos capturing his visit display Ben-Gvir leading Jewish prayers, which have sparked anger among various factions.
The Israeli Prime Minister's office issued a statement asserting that there had been no alteration to the policy safeguarding the status quo agreement, which allows exclusive Muslim worship at the site. Jordan, the custodian of al-Aqsa, condemned Ben-Gvir's prayer as "an unacceptable provocation," while the Islamist group Hamas termed it "a deepening of the ongoing aggressions against our Palestinian people." A spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority stated that the event "crossed all red lines," signifying the deep-seated tensions surrounding the site.
This location is both the holiest in Judaism, believed to be the site of two ancient temples, and the third holiest in Islam, where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. The site was captured by Israel from Jordan during the 1967 Middle East war. The sustained agreement has allowed Jordan to maintain historic custodial rights while Israel controls security and access to the area.
Palestinians have voiced concerns that Israel is infringing upon these arrangements, as reports indicate that Jewish visitors have increasingly conducted prayers with little intervention from Israeli police. The Islamic endowment, Waqf, which is responsible for the management of the site, noted that Ben-Gvir's visit was part of a larger group of 1,250 Jewish visitors who entered the compound that Sunday morning.
Ben-Gvir, an ultranationalist with a history of endorsing contentious policies, was escorted by police as he toured the compound. During his visit, he expressed outrage over a recent video released by Hamas displaying emaciated hostages, labeling it an effort to pressure Israel for their return. Furthermore, he reiterated his stance for Israel to occupy the entirety of the Gaza Strip and advocated for what he termed "voluntary emigration" of Palestinians from the area—actions which, according to experts, could constitute forced displacement of civilians and potentially fall under war crimes.
The situation remains tense as responses to Ben-Gvir's actions continue to resonate across political landscapes, and calls for accountability mount in light of the ongoing strife.
The Israeli Prime Minister's office issued a statement asserting that there had been no alteration to the policy safeguarding the status quo agreement, which allows exclusive Muslim worship at the site. Jordan, the custodian of al-Aqsa, condemned Ben-Gvir's prayer as "an unacceptable provocation," while the Islamist group Hamas termed it "a deepening of the ongoing aggressions against our Palestinian people." A spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority stated that the event "crossed all red lines," signifying the deep-seated tensions surrounding the site.
This location is both the holiest in Judaism, believed to be the site of two ancient temples, and the third holiest in Islam, where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. The site was captured by Israel from Jordan during the 1967 Middle East war. The sustained agreement has allowed Jordan to maintain historic custodial rights while Israel controls security and access to the area.
Palestinians have voiced concerns that Israel is infringing upon these arrangements, as reports indicate that Jewish visitors have increasingly conducted prayers with little intervention from Israeli police. The Islamic endowment, Waqf, which is responsible for the management of the site, noted that Ben-Gvir's visit was part of a larger group of 1,250 Jewish visitors who entered the compound that Sunday morning.
Ben-Gvir, an ultranationalist with a history of endorsing contentious policies, was escorted by police as he toured the compound. During his visit, he expressed outrage over a recent video released by Hamas displaying emaciated hostages, labeling it an effort to pressure Israel for their return. Furthermore, he reiterated his stance for Israel to occupy the entirety of the Gaza Strip and advocated for what he termed "voluntary emigration" of Palestinians from the area—actions which, according to experts, could constitute forced displacement of civilians and potentially fall under war crimes.
The situation remains tense as responses to Ben-Gvir's actions continue to resonate across political landscapes, and calls for accountability mount in light of the ongoing strife.
