Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, accompanied by over 3,000 Israeli settlers, has ignited widespread condemnation for violating the decades-old status quo that reserves exclusive prayer rights for Muslims at Islam’s third-holiest site.
Ben-Gvir, who openly prayed at the site despite the prohibition on non-Muslim worship, led the group in performing rituals and dances, actions that directly undermine the agreement ensuring Muslim control over the compound.
The incursion, which occurred on the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av, saw participation from figures like Likud lawmaker Amit Halevi, further signaling Israel’s disregard for the site’s religious sanctity.
Palestinian officials, alongside Arab governments including Jordan and Saudi Arabia, have decried the incursion as a deliberate provocation.
The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf labeled the move a “blatant provocation to the sentiments of Muslims worldwide,” warning of Israel’s systematic efforts to assert control over Islamic and Christian holy sites.
Jordan, the custodian of Jerusalem’s holy sites, called the action a “flagrant violation of international law,” while Saudi Arabia warned that such moves fuel regional conflict.
A spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated that Ben-Gvir’s actions “crossed all red lines,” urging immediate international intervention to halt Israel’s violations.
The incursion reflects a broader pattern of escalating Israeli encroachments on Al-Aqsa, with over 53,000 settlers entering the compound in 2024 alone, the highest in over two decades.
Israeli police arrested three Al-Aqsa guards following the event, further stoking Palestinian fears of eroding sovereignty over the site.
Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem since 1967, coupled with actions like Defense Minister Israel Katz’s vow to “strengthen” control over the city, underscores a deliberate push to challenge Muslim authority over Al-Aqsa.
The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf called for urgent action from international organizations to curb Israel’s violations, warning that the far-right government’s support for such provocations threatens both religious sanctity and regional stability.