Israeli Minister's Prayer at Holy Site Sparks Controversy and Outrage

Authorities and political leaders react strongly to the minister’s actions, highlighting the fragile status quo at one of the region’s most contentious locations.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has stirred significant controversy following his visit to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, where he openly prayed, defying decades-long protocols governing one of the most sensitive religious sites in the Middle East. Videos and photographs from the visit illustrate Ben-Gvir leading Jewish prayers at the compound, referred to as the Temple Mount by Jewish tradition, located in occupied East Jerusalem.

Traditionally, Jewish visitation to the site is permitted, but prayers are prohibited under an established arrangement. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office quickly announced that there has been no shift in Israel’s commitment to uphold the existing status quo, which restricts worship at the site to Muslims.

Jordan, which acts as the custodian of the al-Aqsa Mosque, vehemently denounced Ben-Gvir's actions, labeling them as "an unacceptable provocation." Similarly, Hamas criticized the incident, claiming it exacerbates ongoing assaults on Palestinian rights, while a spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the visit, declaring it a breach of numerous boundaries.

The al-Aqsa Mosque compound holds immense significance for both Jews and Muslims; it is the foremost sacred site for Jews, marked as the location of the two ancient temples, while for Muslims, it ranks as the third holiest site, believed to be where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. The site was seized by Israel from Jordan during the 1967 Middle East conflict. Under the agreement in place, Jordan manages its historical custodianship, while Israel oversees security measures and access.

Palestinians have raised concerns that Israel is gradually undermining these arrangements, citing increased instances where Jewish visitors have prayed without intervention from Israeli police. According to the Islamic Waqf, which administers the site, Ben-Gvir’s visit coincided with a reported 1,250 Jewish individuals who ascended the compound that same Sunday morning.

Ben-Gvir, known for his ultra-nationalist views and current oversight of the police as national security minister, has previously visited the site but this marks the first instance of him praying there. Accompanied by a police escort, he made an unsettling statement at the location, addressing videos released by Hamas of Israeli hostages that depicted their severe physical state. He argued these images were intended to coerce Israel and pushed for the hostages’ safe return.

Moreover, Ben-Gvir reiterated his controversial stance advocating for Israel to occupy the entire Gaza Strip and called for what he termed the "voluntary emigration" of Palestinians from the region—an assertion that experts warned could amount to forced civilian displacement and potentially a war crime. His history of inciting violence against Palestinian communities has led to sanctions from the UK government as well.