Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir joined thousands of Jewish extremists in visiting Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque compound on Thursday. The group conducted prayers, displayed Israeli flags, and sang the national anthem at the site, which is sacred to multiple religions and sits at the center of longstanding Israeli-Palestinian tensions.
Under an agreement established decades ago known as the status quo, non-Muslim prayer has been prohibited at the compound, referred to as al-Haram al-Sharif by Muslims and the Temple Mount by Jews. Ben-Gvir has progressively undermined this arrangement through repeated controversial visits and administrative changes that have permitted Jewish visitors to bring religious texts and prayer materials to the site. The security minister has previously expressed intentions to raise an Israeli flag at the location and construct a synagogue there.
The visit occurred on Tisha B’Av, a Jewish religious observance commemorating the destruction of ancient temples at the same location. According to reports, approximately 3,228 Israelis entered the compound during the morning hours, with additional visitors expected throughout the day. A senior Israeli lawmaker also participated in the flag-raising and anthem-singing activities.
Palestinian authorities characterized the event as a dangerous religious provocation emanating from Israel’s highest political levels. International responses included strong condemnation from Jordan’s foreign ministry, which called on the global community to compel Israel to cease violations at the site. Israeli activist groups opposed to the action described it as directly contravening the fragile status quo agreement.
Historically, changes to arrangements at the compound have triggered significant regional conflict. A similar 2000 visit by an Israeli political figure preceded an extended period of violence, and Hamas cited violations at the mosque as justification for military operations that resulted in thousands of casualties and subsequent warfare. Overnight disturbances included clashes between groups near the site, resulting in police arrests related to violence against Palestinians.
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