OCCUPIED EAST JERUSALEM – Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Sunday stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem under heavy police protection, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa. The incursion comes amid an ongoing escalation of violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in East Jerusalem, as well as continued restrictions on worshippers’ access to the mosque.
Such incursions by Ben-Gvir are typically carried out without prior public announcement. Israeli ministers are only permitted to enter the Al-Aqsa compound with advance approval from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The extremist minister has continued these provocations despite repeated Arab, Islamic, and international condemnations.
Significance of Al-Aqsa
Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world’s third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area the Temple Mount, claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times. The compound has long been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with any changes to the longstanding status quo — under which Jews are permitted to visit but not pray at the site — triggering violent confrontations.
Ben-Gvir’s Provocative Visits
Ben-Gvir has repeatedly visited the Al-Aqsa compound since becoming national security minister, despite warnings from security officials that such visits inflame tensions. His previous visits have drawn condemnation from across the Arab and Islamic world, as well as from the United Nations.
Regional Context
The latest incursion comes as the region remains on edge following the US-Israel war on Iran and ongoing Israeli strikes on Lebanon. The continued violence in Gaza and the West Bank has already heightened tensions, and Ben-Gvir’s visit to Al-Aqsa threatens to further inflame the situation.
International Condemnation
The international community has repeatedly called on Israel to respect the status quo at Al-Aqsa and to refrain from provocative actions. The UN Security Council has held emergency sessions on the issue, and the Arab League has condemned Israeli violations.
Analysis: A Deliberate Provocation
Ben-Gvir’s visit to Al-Aqsa is not a spontaneous act; it is a deliberate provocation designed to assert Israeli control over the compound and to appeal to his far-right base. The timing — amid ongoing regional conflict and heightened Palestinian frustration — suggests a willingness to risk further escalation.
The fact that Ben-Gvir continues to carry out such visits despite repeated condemnations reflects the weakness of constraints on his actions. Netanyahu’s office has the authority to deny permission for ministers to enter the compound, but has not done so.
For Palestinians, Ben-Gvir’s visit is an attack on one of Islam’s holiest sites. For the broader Muslim world, it is an affront to religious sensibilities. For the region, it is another spark in an already volatile environment.
