JERUSALEM: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under heavy security and performed Jewish religious rituals.
The far-right Israeli minister also signaled support for establishing a Jewish place of worship at the holy site.
According to Arab media reports, Ben-Gvir entered the compound with several Jewish religious leaders, settlers and Israeli security personnel.
Ben-Gvir Prays Inside Al-Aqsa Compound
The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Ben-Gvir performed Jewish religious rituals in the eastern part of the compound.
He also prayed at the site.
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Ben-Gvir later referred to the changes in access and prayer practices at the compound.
He said that praying there had been prohibited when he was 14 years old.
The minister claimed that people could face arrest for praying loudly at the site at that time.
He described the current situation as a form of “redemption” and spoke about blowing the shofar and conducting Jewish prayers.
Ben-Gvir also referred to the possibility of establishing a Jewish place of worship at the site.
Historic Status of Al-Aqsa
The Al-Aqsa compound remains one of the most sensitive religious sites in Jerusalem.
A long-standing arrangement has allowed non-Muslims to visit the compound but does not allow them to conduct religious worship there.
Jewish visitors can enter the site under rules enforced by Israeli authorities.
Ben-Gvir has visited the compound several times since becoming national security minister in 2022.
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His visits have repeatedly drawn strong criticism from Palestinians and other parties.
Calls for a Jewish Worship Site
Ben-Gvir leads Israel’s far-right Jewish Power party.
He has previously supported the forced removal of Palestinians and the departure of Palestinians from occupied territories.
Meanwhile, a growing settler movement has called for greater Jewish access to the Al-Aqsa compound.
Some groups have also demanded the construction of a Jewish place of worship at the site.
Such demands have raised concerns about possible changes to the historic status of the compound.
Palestinian Authorities Condemn Visit
The Jerusalem Governorate strongly condemned Ben-Gvir’s latest action.
It described the move as a dangerous provocation.
The governorate also called it a violation of the historic and legal status of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
It said the move seeks to change the Islamic character of the holy site.
Restrictions on Palestinian Worshippers
The latest incident comes as thousands of Jewish worshippers gather at the Western Wall for religious prayers.
According to the reports, Israeli police have allowed Jewish settlers to enter the Al-Aqsa compound on most days since 2003.
Friday and Saturday are exceptions under the reported arrangement.
Palestinian worshippers also face restrictions on access to the mosque.
For example, during Eid al-Fitr earlier this year, Israeli authorities allowed only about 10,000 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank to enter Al-Aqsa for prayers on the first Friday of Ramadan.
The issue remains a major source of tension in Jerusalem.
