A far-right Israeli minister has led hundreds of Jewish Israelis to Jerusalem’s most contested holy site, many defying the Israeli government’s long-standing ban on Jewish prayer there.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, was condemned as provocative by Palestinian leaders, as well as the US, France, the UN and several Arab countries.
Mr Ben-Gvir said in the video that “our policy is to do the Jewish prayer”.
But the Israeli prime minister’s office insisted there had been no change to the agreement allowing only Muslim worship there.
This place is a very holy place for Jews because it was the site of two biblical temples. It is the third holiest place for Muslims, who believe it is where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.
Located in East Jerusalem, it was captured by Israel from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East war. Under the status quo, Jordan was allowed to continue its historic role as the custodian of the territory, while Israel assumed control of security and access.
Palestinians accuse Israel of taking steps to disrupt the programs and complain that in recent years Jewish tourists have often been seen praying without being stopped by Israeli police.
Videos shared on social media on Tuesday showed groups of Israeli Jews singing the Israeli national anthem, some holding the Israeli flag and others kneeling in prayer at the edge of the holy site.
Visiting the company accompanied by the Israeli police, Itamar Ben Gvir, said that “great progress has been made in the “rule and rule” of Israel there. “Our goal is to allow Jewish prayer,” he continued.
He also declared that Israel “must win the war” in the Gaza Strip, and should not participate in the ceasefire talks and the agreement on the release of hostages in order to “bring Hamas to its knees”.
Later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the incident had “changed from the situation it was in.”
“The rule of Israel on the Temple Mount has not changed; it was like this and it will be like this,” he emphasized.
In response to this statement, Mr Ben-Gvir said it was his goal to “give Jews the freedom to worship in all places”.
“There is no law that allows racial discrimination against Jews on the Temple Mount or anywhere else in Israel,” he added.
However, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed serious concern over what it calls “a dangerous escalation caused by the attacks of violent settlers on the al-Aqsa Mosque”.
“The minister will continue his political efforts to deal with these conflicts at different levels, warning of their negative consequences in the conflict arena and the region as a whole,” the statement said.
The Jordanian Islamic organization that runs the site, the Waqf, said more than 2,000 Israelis had entered the site and urged Muslims around the world to help maintain the situation.
Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the incident shows “the insistence of the Israeli government and its extremist members to violate international law and Israel’s obligations as a sovereign power”.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia also said the incident violated international law, with the former adding that Mr. Ben-Gvir wanted to undermine efforts to establish an agreement to end the war in Gaza.
In a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Mr. Ben-Gvir’s visit “showed a clear contempt for the status quo regarding the holy sites of Jerusalem.
“These provocative actions are fueling tensions at a critical time when the focus should be on the continued efforts of officials to reach a ceasefire agreement and secure the release of all hostages and create conditions for regional stability,” added a senior US official.
The French Foreign Ministry condemned Mr Ben-Gvir’s visit, saying: “This new provocation is unacceptable”.
UN spokesman Farhan Haq called the incident “unhelpful and unduly provocative”, adding: “We oppose any attempts to change the status quo in the holy places.”
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