Israel’s far-right national security minister Itama Ben-Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem and prayed there, violating decades of historic arrangements and covering one of the most sensitive sites in the Middle East.
Photos and videos of his visit show Ben-Gvir leading the Jewish prayers in the compound, known as the Temple Mount, located in occupied East Jerusalem.
Praying on site breaks the long-term arrangement and allows Jews to visit the site, but cannot pray.
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying that Israel’s policy to maintain the status quo has not changed, which only allows Muslims to worship.
Jordan, the trustee of the location, called Ben-Gvir’s latest visit a “unacceptable provocation.”
Hamas called it “a deepening of aggressiveness to our Palestinian people”, while the authoritative Palestinian president, President Mahmoud Abbas, said the visit “crossed all red lines.”
The site is the most sacred place for the Jews, as it is home to two biblical temples. For Muslims, this is the third holy place, they think it is where the prophet Muhammad ascends to heaven.
It was captured by Israel in Jordan during the 1967 Middle East War. Under the status quo, Jordan was allowed to continue as the historic role of the custodian of the site, while Israel assumed control over security and access.
Palestinians accuse Israel of taking measures to undermine arrangements and complain that in recent years, Jewish tourists have been often seen praying without being stopped by Israeli police.
Ben-Gvir was one of 1,250 Jews who boarded the compound on Sunday morning, the Islamic donation base WAQF said.
The supernationalist Ben-Gvir serves as the National Security Minister, in charge of the police, Before visiting the websitebut Israel’s Times reported this was his first public prayer on the spot.
When he entered and visited the compound, he was on the side of the police.
Ben-Gvir said in a statement on the scene that Hamas recently released “terror” videos of hostages, which they seem to be thin, are intended to put pressure on Israel and call for the hostages to return.
The minister also repeated calls for Israel to occupy the entire Gaza Strip and encouraged what he called Palestinians “voluntary immigration” from the territory.
Experts say this would constitute forced displacement of civilians, as well as possible war crimes.
He has Approved by the UK “Repeated incitement of violence against the Palestinian community” in the occupied West Bank.
