Islamabad 4 August: An Israeli cabinet minister has triggered widespread condemnation after praying at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a site revered by both Muslims and Jews, amid heightened tensions in the region.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the compound early Monday morning, describing his appearance as a “symbol of Jewish sovereignty” over what Jews refer to as the Temple Mount. The site, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif, is one of the holiest places in Islam and a longstanding flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Palestinian Authority swiftly denounced the move, calling it a “dangerous provocation” and a “violation of the sanctity of Islamic holy sites.” Hamas warned that such actions could “ignite a new wave of resistance.”
Jordan, which officially oversees Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, condemned the visit as a breach of the status quo agreement that prohibits non-Muslim worship at the compound. The Jordanian Foreign Ministry said it held Israel responsible for the consequences of “continued escalations.”
Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician known for his controversial positions on Palestinian issues, has made several visits to the site in recent years, often drawing international criticism.
Under a longstanding arrangement, Jews are allowed to visit the site but not to pray there. However, growing numbers of religious nationalist Jews have defied the ban in recent years, raising Palestinian fears of a shift in policy.
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The United Nations and the European Union have called on all parties to exercise restraint and uphold the historical status quo at the site.
The visit comes just days after renewed clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian youth in East Jerusalem, raising fears that the minister’s appearance at the site could fuel further unrest.
