Israels Ben-Gvir sparks outrage with Al-Aqsa Mosque storming

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir Visits Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound

Minister Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem’s Old City on Sunday, accompanied by Israeli settlers under heavy protection from Israeli forces. This was his third visit to the site this year.

Ben-Gvir offered Jewish prayers at the site, which is not allowed for non-Muslims as part of the status quo arrangement since 1967. The site is considered holy by Muslims and Jews alike.

A statement from Jordan’s Foreign Ministry described Ben-Gvir’s visit as a violation of the status quo agreement and “a desecration of its sanctity.” The Palestinian Authority also condemned the visit, stating it was a blatant violation of the historical and legal status quo at the site.

Ben-Gvir has visited the mosque compound at least 16 times since taking office in 2022. He is part of a growing settler movement that wants to take over the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The minister expressed his intention to build a Jewish synagogue in place of the holy Muslim site.

Israel had previously closed the Al-Aqsa Mosque to the public for 40 days after launching its war on Iran on February 28. The mosque reopened on April 9 to Palestinian worshippers, but later that day, Israeli settlers stormed the compound and performed Talmudic rituals under police protection.

On Sunday, at least 18 Palestinians were arrested in the occupied West Bank during Israeli raids. A child and a young man were also injured by Israeli forces during a raid on Nablus. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that over 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank since October 2023.

Israeli authorities had extended the daily windows for Israeli settler incursions by an additional 30 minutes.

Source: Al Jazeera