Far-right Israeli Minister Leads Controversial Visit to Jerusalem’s Holy Site
In a bold and provocative move, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir led hundreds of Jewish Israelis into Jerusalem’s most contested holy site, the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as Temple Mount. This visit, which saw many defying the Israeli government’s long-standing ban on Jewish prayer at the site, has sparked outrage among Palestinian leaders, as well as condemnation from the UN and several Arab states.
Mr. Ben-Gvir, in a video statement, declared that “our policy is to enable Jewish prayer” at the site, which is the holiest place for Jews due to its historical significance as the site of two Biblical temples. However, the Israeli prime minister’s office reiterated that there has been no change to the status quo agreement that only allows Muslim worship at the compound.
The al-Aqsa Mosque compound is also the third holiest place for Muslims, who believe it was where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. Situated in occupied East Jerusalem, the site has been a flashpoint for tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, with the latter accusing Israel of undermining the arrangements that govern access to the site.
Videos shared on social media showed groups of Jewish Israelis singing the Israeli national anthem, carrying the Israeli flag, and even praying at the edge of the holy site. The incident, which was escorted by Israeli police, has been described by Mr. Ben-Gvir as a step towards Israel’s “governance and sovereignty” at the site.
However, the Palestinian foreign ministry expressed deep concern over what it called a “dangerous escalation” resulting from the visit, while the Jordanian Islamic endowment that administers the site, the Waqf, appealed to Muslims worldwide to help maintain the status quo.
International reaction to the incident has been swift, with the UN calling it “unhelpful and unduly provocative,” and the US state department condemning any unilateral actions that jeopardize the status quo at the holy site. Egypt and Saudi Arabia also criticized the visit, with Egypt accusing Mr. Ben-Gvir of trying to derail efforts to broker a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
As tensions continue to simmer in the region, the incident at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound serves as a stark reminder of the complex and deeply entrenched divisions that define the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
