Arabic version: زيارة بن غفير إلى المسجد الأقصى تثير غضب الفلسطينيين
Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, marking his third incursion into the site this year. Accompanied by Israeli settlers and heavily protected by Israeli forces, Ben-Gvir offered Jewish prayers at the mosque, which is not permitted for non-Muslims under the status quo arrangement established in 1967. This visit coincided with the arrest of at least 18 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Sunday. According to Al Jazeera,
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry condemned Ben-Gvir’s visit, labeling it a violation of the status quo and a desecration of the site’s sanctity. The Palestinian Authority’s presidency also criticized the incursion as a blatant violation of the historical and legal status quo, reflecting increasing tensions surrounding the site. Ben-Gvir has made at least 16 visits to the mosque since taking office in 2022, advocating for a Jewish synagogue to be established at the location.
In a video released by his office, Ben-Gvir expressed his determination to continue pushing for changes regarding the mosque, stating, “Today, I feel like the owner here.” His comments have raised concerns about the intentions of the far-right settler movement, which seeks to assert greater control over the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The mosque had been closed to the public for 40 days following Israel’s military actions against Iran, reopening on April 9 to Palestinian worshippers. However, Israeli settlers stormed the compound shortly after its reopening, performing Talmudic rituals under police protection. Reports indicate that Israeli authorities have extended daily windows for settler incursions by an additional 30 minutes.
The situation remains tense, with ongoing Israeli raids across the occupied West Bank resulting in further arrests and injuries among Palestinians. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports over 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank since October 2023.
