A far-right Israeli minister faced international backlash on Tuesday after praying with thousands of Jews at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in annexed east Jerusalem, in defiance of a ban on Jewish prayer at the contentious site. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, known for frequently disregarding the Israeli government's longstanding prohibition, pledged to "defeat Hamas" in Gaza in a video recorded during his visit. The compound, the third holiest site in Islam and a symbol of Palestinian national identity, is also revered in Judaism as the location of the ancient temple destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
Although Jews and other non-Muslims can visit the mosque compound in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem during certain hours, they are forbidden to pray or exhibit religious symbols. Ben Gvir's visit occurred amid heightened tensions during the 10-month Israel-Hamas war, with efforts for a ceasefire faltering and Israel on alert for potential attacks from Iran and its proxies. His actions were met with severe criticism from both Muslim nations and Western powers, including the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Ben Gvir's "blatant disregard" for the status quo at the site and called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent such actions. "These provocative actions only exacerbate tensions at a pivotal moment when all focus should be on the ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve a (Gaza) ceasefire agreement and secure the release of all hostages and create the conditions for broader regional stability," he stated. The White House had previously issued strong criticism against another far-right member of Netanyahu's cabinet, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, for opposing President Joe Biden's push for a Gaza ceasefire.
In recent years, the restrictions at the compound have been increasingly violated by hardline religious nationalists like Ben Gvir, triggering violent responses from Palestinians. On Tuesday morning, he and approximately 2,250 other Israelis entered the compound in groups, singing Jewish hymns, under the protection of Israeli police, according to a Waqf official. Israeli police also "imposed restrictions" on Muslim worshippers attempting to enter the mosque, with more than 700 Jews praying there in the afternoon.
The Waqf official, speaking anonymously, accused Minister Ben Gvir of overseeing a "Judaisation operation" aimed at altering the situation inside Al-Aqsa Mosque. Jordan's foreign ministry denounced the "storming" of the mosque as a "flagrant violation of international law." The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a "provocation to the feelings of Muslims all over the world." Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, stated that the UN opposes any efforts to change the status quo within holy sites, calling such behavior "unhelpful and unduly provocative." European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and France's foreign ministry also strongly condemned Ben Gvir's provocations.
Images on social media showed Ben Gvir inside the compound while several Israelis performed Talmudic rituals on the ground. In a video statement filmed inside the compound, Ben Gvir reiterated his opposition to any truce in the war in Gaza, emphasizing the need to "win this war" and defeat Hamas. His entry into the Al-Aqsa compound coincided with the Jewish mourning day of Tisha Be'Av, which marks the destruction of the ancient temple.
