Controversy Erupts as Israeli Minister Prays at Disputed Jerusalem Site

The Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ignited backlash by praying at the holy site in East Jerusalem, breaching longstanding agreements and drawing ire from Palestinian authorities and Jordanian officials.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has stirred significant controversy by participating in prayers at a highly contentious holy site in occupied East Jerusalem. This event violates the longstanding status quo that governs access to the area, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and to Jews as the Temple Mount. While photos and videos captured Ben-Gvir leading Jewish prayers, it is important to note that although Jewish visits to the site are permitted, actual prayer has historically been off-limits.

The Israeli Prime Minister's office quickly issued a statement asserting that there has been no modification to its policy concerning the sacred location, which permits only Muslim worship. This statement came after Jordan, which has long acted as the custodian of the site, condemned Ben-Gvir's actions as "an unacceptable provocation." Hamas also denounced the visit, depicting it as an escalation of aggression against the Palestinian population, and a representative of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized that this event "crossed all red lines."

Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount holds profound significance for both religious groups; it is the holiest site in Judaism, historically linked to the First and Second Biblical Temples, and holds the third holiest status for Muslims, who revere it as the ascent point of the Prophet Muhammad. The site fell into Israel's control in the 1967 Middle East war, with Jordan maintaining its custodial role over the Islamic aspects while Israel governs security measures.

Palestinian factions have expressed continuous concern that Israel seeks to undermine the delicate arrangements, asserting that there has been a growing number of Jewish visitors engaging in prayers without intervention from Israeli police. The Waqf, the Islamic trust overseeing the site, reported that Ben-Gvir was among 1,250 Jewish individuals who visited the compound recently, marking his first public prayer there.

While entering the site, Ben-Gvir was accompanied by law enforcement officers and made statements regarding a recent video released by Hamas, depicting emaciated hostages. He criticized the video as a manipulation tactic designed to exert pressure on Israel, reiterating his demands for the hostages' return. In a controversial stance, he called for the complete occupation of the Gaza Strip and promoted what he characterized as "voluntary emigration" of Palestinians—a suggestion that experts label as potential forced displacement and a war crime.

His controversial views have led to his sanctions by the UK for "repeated incitements of violence" against Palestinian communities in the occupied territories, reflecting the intricate and fraught dynamics surrounding both the site and broader Israeli-Palestinian relations.