A far-right Israeli minister led hundreds of Jewish Israelis into Jerusalem’s most disputed holy site, where many broke the Israeli government’s long-standing rule against Jewish prayer. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, also known as Temple Mount to Jews. Palestinian leaders, as well as the US, France, the UN, and several Arab countries, have condemned the visit as provocative. Ben-Gvir stated in a video that the policy is to allow Jewish prayer there. However, the Israeli prime minister’s office said that the rule allowing only Muslim worship at the site has not changed.
Israeli Minister‘s Visit to Contested Jerusalem Site Sparks Global Outrage and Concerns
The site in Jerusalem is the holiest place for Jews because it was where two Biblical temples stood. For Muslims, it is the third holiest site, believed to be where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.
The site is in occupied East Jerusalem, which Israel took from Jordan during the 1967 Middle East war. According to the current rules, Jordan keeps its traditional role as custodian, while Israel controls security and access.
Recently, Palestinian officials have accused Israel of undermining these rules. They say Jewish visitors are sometimes seen praying at the site without being stopped by Israeli police.
Videos on social media showed Jewish Israelis singing their national anthem and praying at the site. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who visited the site with Israeli police, claimed that Israel had made “great progress” and that his policy is to allow Jewish prayer there.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office later said that the incident did not follow the existing rules, which only allow Muslim worship. Ben-Gvir responded, saying that he supports freedom of worship for Jews everywhere and that no law permits discrimination against Jews.
The Palestinian foreign ministry expressed concern about what it called a dangerous escalation from these visits. The Jordanian Islamic endowment (Waqf), which manages the site, said more than 2,000 Israelis entered the compound and asked Muslims worldwide to help maintain the current arrangements.
Jordan’s foreign ministry criticized the incident, saying it showed the Israeli government’s disregard for international laws. Egypt and Saudi Arabia also condemned the visit, saying it violated international law and might disrupt efforts to negotiate a Gaza ceasefire.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the visit showed a blatant disregard for the historic rules regarding the site and could worsen tensions. The French foreign ministry and the UN also criticized the visit, calling it unacceptable and provocative.
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