A far-right Israeli minister has led a significant number of Jewish Israelis to Jerusalem’s most disputed holy site, with many openly defying the Israeli government’s longstanding ban on Jewish prayer at the location.
The visit by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as Temple Mount, has drawn sharp condemnation from Palestinian leaders, the UN, and several Arab nations for its provocative nature.
In a video message, Ben-Gvir asserted, “our policy is to enable Jewish prayer.” However, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office swiftly stated that there has been no alteration to the status quo agreement, which permits only Muslim worship at the site.
The al-Aqsa Mosque compound, considered the holiest site for Jews due to its historical significance as the location of two Biblical temples, also holds immense importance for Muslims as the third holiest site, believed to be the place of the Prophet Muhammad’s ascension to heaven.
Located in occupied East Jerusalem, the site was captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East War. Under the terms established, Jordan maintains its historic role as custodian while Israel oversees security and access.
Palestinians have accused Israel of taking measures to undermine the existing arrangements, voicing concerns that recent years have seen Jewish visitors praying with little to no intervention from Israeli police.
Reports from the scene on Tuesday depicted groups of Jewish Israelis singing the national anthem, some waving flags, and others praying at the holy site’s periphery, raising tensions further.
Accompanied by Israeli police, Ben-Gvir claimed to have achieved “great progress” in Israel’s governance and sovereignty in the area, affirming, “Our policy is to enable Jewish prayer.” He further stated that Israel “must win the war” in the Gaza Strip and should refrain from engaging in ceasefire negotiations to effectively diminish Hamas’s influence.
In response to the unfolding situation, the Prime Minister’s office commented that the events had “deviated from the status quo,” reiterating, “Israel’s policy on the Temple Mount has not changed; this is how it has been and this is how it will be.”
Ben-Gvir countered that his intention is to “enable freedom of worship for Jews in all places,” asserting there is no legal basis for discrimination against Jews at the Temple Mount or anywhere else in Israel.
The Palestinian foreign ministry expressed profound concern over what it described as a “dangerous escalation resulting from the actions of extremist settlers at the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque,” and pledged to continue political efforts to address these provocations.
The Jordanian Islamic endowment responsible for managing the site reported that over 2,000 Israelis had entered the compound, urging Muslims globally to assist in preserving the status quo.
Jordan’s foreign ministry condemned the incident, claiming it exemplifies the Israeli government’s disregard for international laws and its obligations as an occupying power. Similarly, Egypt and Saudi Arabia criticized the event as a violation of international law, with Egypt asserting that the actions of Ben-Gvir undermine efforts to negotiate a Gaza ceasefire.
A UN spokesperson labeled the event as “unhelpful and unduly provocative,” emphasizing opposition to any alterations to the established status quo at holy sites. The US State Department voiced its disapproval, with a spokesperson stating that such unilateral actions jeopardize essential stability, especially at a critical time for ceasefire negotiations.
