Arabic version: بن غفير يدخل باحات المسجد الأقصى

According to Al Jazeera, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday, performed prayers and appeared to call for a Jewish temple at the site.

Ben-Gvir entered under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, accompanied by rabbis, settlers and security personnel. Al Jazeera reported that he declared plans to alter the historical status quo at the compound, Islam’s third-holiest site.

Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Ben-Gvir performed Talmudic prayers and rituals in the eastern section of the mosque’s courtyards. Under the status quo arrangement in place since 1967, non-Muslims are permitted to visit the compound but are not allowed to pray there.

The leader of the far-right Jewish Power party has entered the compound several times since taking office in 2022, prompting widespread condemnation. The Jerusalem governorate described the latest incursion as a dangerous escalation and a violation of the site’s historical and legal status, Wafa reported.

Since 2003, Israeli police have allowed settlers to make daily incursions into the compound except on Fridays and Saturdays. Israel also imposes restrictions on Palestinian worshippers, according to Al Jazeera.