Controversy Erupts Over Israeli Minister's Prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked outrage following his prayer at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a site sacred to both Jews and Muslims. This act breaches decades-old agreements regarding the site, leading to severe criticism from Jordan and Palestinian officials.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has ignited significant controversy following his recent visit to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, where he prayed in defiance of a longstanding arrangement that prohibits Jewish prayers at the sensitive site. Photographs and videos from his visit depict Ben-Gvir leading prayers at the location, known in Jewish tradition as the Temple Mount, which lies in East Jerusalem and is regarded as one of the most contentious religious sites in the world.

The Israeli Prime Minister's office swiftly issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the status quo, which, historically, allows only Muslim worshippers at the site. However, the visit has drawn sharp rebukes from various quarters. Jordan, recognized as the custodian of al-Aqsa, referred to Ben-Gvir's actions as "an unacceptable provocation," while Hamas condemned the act as an escalation against Palestinians. A representative for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called the visit a crossing of “all red lines.”

The al-Aqsa Mosque compound holds profound significance for Jews, as it was the site of the two ancient temples, and it is also the third holiest site for Muslims. Israel captured the area from Jordan during the 1967 Middle East war, leading to ongoing disputes over its status and rights to worship for both communities. Concerns have been raised by Palestinians regarding what they perceive as attempts by Israel to erode the longstanding agreements in place, especially with reports of increasing Jewish prayer activities at the site being overlooked by Israeli authorities.

According to the Islamic endowment Waqf, Ben-Gvir was among a significant group of over 1,200 Jews who visited the compound on a recent Sunday morning. This was reportedly Ben-Gvir's first occasion of openly praying at the site, despite earlier visits. Accompanied by police, he remarked on what he described as "horror" footage of hostages released by Hamas, insisting on the urgency of their return.

Additionally, Ben-Gvir has reiterated his contentious calls for Israel to occupy all of the Gaza Strip and promote the so-called "voluntary emigration" of Palestinians—a proposal criticized by experts as potentially leading to forced displacement, and possibly constituting a war crime. His remarks have attracted international scrutiny, with sanctions imposed against him by the UK due to ongoing incitements of violence towards Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank.