Far-right Israeli Minister Leads Controversial Visit to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque
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 ban on Jewish prayer at the site, has sparked condemnation from Palestinian leaders, the UN, and several Arab states.
The al-Aqsa Mosque compound holds significant religious importance for both Jews and Muslims, with Jews considering it the holiest place due to its historical connection to two Biblical temples, while Muslims believe it was where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. Situated in occupied East Jerusalem, the site has been a point of contention since Israel captured it from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East war.
Despite the Israeli prime minister’s office reaffirming the status quo agreement that only allows Muslim worship at the site, Ben-Gvir declared in a video that their policy is to enable Jewish prayer. Videos shared on social media showed Jewish Israelis singing the national anthem, carrying the Israeli flag, and even praying at the holy site.
The incident has raised concerns and condemnation from various parties, with the Palestinian foreign ministry expressing alarm over the “dangerous escalation” caused by the visit. The Jordanian Islamic endowment, which administers the site, called on Muslims worldwide to help maintain the status quo, while Jordan and other Arab states criticized the Israeli government for violating international laws.
UN spokesperson Farhan Haq labeled the incident as “unhelpful and unduly provocative,” emphasizing the importance of preserving the status quo at holy sites. The US State Department also condemned the visit, stating that any unilateral actions jeopardizing the status quo are unacceptable, especially during efforts to broker a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
As tensions continue to rise over the controversial visit, the international community is closely monitoring the situation and urging all parties to respect the religious sensitivities and historical agreements surrounding the al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
