Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem's Old City on Sunday, marking his third such visit this year. Accompanied by settlers and security forces, Ben-Gvir performed Jewish prayers, a practice Jordan's Foreign Ministry described as a "condemnable escalation" and a "violation of the status quo agreement" at the holy site. This action coincided with the arrest of at least 18 Palestinians across the occupied West Bank.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir conducted Jewish prayers within the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday, joined by a contingent of Israeli settlers. These individuals entered the sacred site under extensive protection from Israeli forces, according to Al Jazeera. The minister's actions mark his third entry into the compound this year and his sixteenth since assuming office in 2022.
This particular visit occurred just two days after the compound had reopened to Palestinian worshippers following a 40-day closure. The Al-Aqsa Mosque had been inaccessible to the public for 40 days, a measure Israel imposed following what Al Jazeera reported as the launch of its military actions against Iran on February 28. Following its reopening on April 9, Israeli settlers swiftly entered the compound, performing Talmudic rituals while under the guard of Israeli police, Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.
This sequence of events has altered access to the site. Israeli authorities subsequently extended the daily windows for Israeli settler incursions into the compound by an additional 30 minutes. This adjustment provides more time for groups like those accompanying Ben-Gvir to access the site.
Such changes have intensified concerns among Palestinian officials. Jordan's Foreign Ministry issued a statement regarding Ben-Gvir's visit, characterizing it as a direct violation of the status quo agreement governing the site. The ministry specifically called the action "a desecration of its sanctity, a condemnable escalation and an unacceptable provocation." This diplomatic response underscores the regional sensitivities surrounding the compound.
The Palestinian Authority's presidency also voiced its condemnation of the mosque compound entry, noting its increasing frequency in recent years. A statement from the presidency, reported by Palestinian news agency Wafa, described the move as a "blatant violation of the historical and legal status quo" at the holy site. These official reactions highlight a shared perception of encroachment. "Today, I feel like the owner here," Ben-Gvir declared in a video circulated by his office from the site.
He added, "There is still more to do, more to improve. I keep pushing the prime minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] to do more and more." This statement reveals a clear intent regarding the site's future. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has not released any comment concerning Ben-Gvir's recent actions or his expressed intentions.
The lack of a public statement from the premier's office leaves many questions about the government's official stance. This silence often amplifies the concerns of those who view such incursions as provocative. The status quo arrangement, established in 1967, permits Jewish individuals to visit the Al-Aqsa compound but prohibits non-Muslim prayer.
Ben-Gvir's public prayers during his visit directly challenged this long-standing agreement. Critics argue these actions fuel religious tension. Ben-Gvir aligns with a growing settler movement that seeks to gain control of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
He has openly expressed his intention to construct a Jewish synagogue in place of the Muslim holy site. This ambition represents a significant departure from existing international understandings. Israel often imposes restrictions on Palestinian worshippers accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
This year, Israeli authorities prevented Eid al-Fitr prayers at the site, marking the first such restriction since Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967. Such measures limit religious freedom for a significant portion of the population. Concurrently with events at Al-Aqsa, Israeli raids persisted across the occupied West Bank.
On Sunday, at least 18 individuals were arrested during these operations. This continued military activity forms a backdrop to the religious site incursions. Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli forces arrested six Palestinians during a raid on Dheisheh refugee camp, situated south of Bethlehem.
Furthermore, a child and a young man sustained injuries from Israeli forces during a separate raid on the city of Nablus. These incidents reflect an ongoing pattern of confrontation. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) states that more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank since October 2023.
Thousands more have faced forced displacement. These figures underscore the severe human cost of sustained conflict and the daily challenges faced by Palestinian communities. The repeated entries into Al-Aqsa by prominent Israeli figures, particularly when accompanied by actions perceived as violations of religious sanctity, risk inflaming an already volatile region.
These events not only exacerbate Israeli-Palestinian tensions but also resonate across the wider Middle East, affecting diplomatic relations with countries like Jordan, which acts as custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem. The delicate balance maintained by the status quo agreement is constantly tested. Any perceived shift in this arrangement can trigger widespread public and political reactions. - Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, performing Jewish prayers, a violation of the 1967 status quo agreement. - Jordan's Foreign Ministry and the Palestinian Authority's presidency condemned the visit, labeling it a "desecration" and a "blatant violation" of the site's historical and legal status. - The incursion occurred as Israeli forces arrested 18 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and imposed restrictions on Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa. - Ben-Gvir has openly stated his intention to replace the Al-Aqsa Mosque with a Jewish synagogue, reflecting a broader settler movement goal.
Looking ahead, observers will monitor the response from regional and international bodies, particularly the United Nations and the Arab League, regarding the status quo violations. Any further actions by Israeli officials or settler groups at the Al-Aqsa compound could prompt additional diplomatic protests and potentially greater unrest on the ground. The frequency and nature of future Israeli military operations in the West Bank also remain a critical point of focus.
Human rights organizations will continue to watch these developments closely.
Key Takeaways
— - Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, performing Jewish prayers, a violation of the 1967 status quo agreement.
— - Jordan's Foreign Ministry and the Palestinian Authority's presidency condemned the visit, labeling it a "desecration" and a "blatant violation" of the site's historical and legal status.
— - The incursion occurred as Israeli forces arrested 18 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and imposed restrictions on Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa.
— - Ben-Gvir has openly stated his intention to replace the Al-Aqsa Mosque with a Jewish synagogue, reflecting a broader settler movement goal.
Source: Al Jazeera
