A far-right Israeli minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, led hundreds of Jewish Israelis to Jerusalem’s holy site, the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, against the Israeli government’s ban on Jewish prayer. This visit sparked condemnation from Palestinian leaders, the UN, and Arab states, as it is considered provocative. Although Ben-Gvir stated the goal is to enable Jewish prayer, the Israeli prime minister’s office reaffirmed that only Muslim worship is allowed under the status quo agreement.
The al-Aqsa Mosque compound is highly significant to both Jews and Muslims, with tensions around its control dating back to the 1967 Middle East war. Recent incidents of Jewish visitors praying freely have raised concerns among Palestinians, who accuse Israel of undermining the status quo. Ben-Gvir’s declaration of Israel’s sovereignty in the area further escalated tensions, leading to criticism from international bodies like the UN, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
The incident not only threatens the delicate balance in the region but also hinders efforts to broker a ceasefire deal in Gaza. The actions of Ben-Gvir and the Israeli government are seen as provocative and detrimental to peace negotiations.
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