A far-right Israeli minister has declared that he prayed at Jerusalem’s highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound, once again challenging longstanding regulations that permit Jews to visit but not to pray there.
The Al-Aqsa compound, revered as Islam’s third holiest site and a potent symbol of Palestinian national identity, is also venerated by Jews as the location of their ancient temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, speaking at a symposium in the Israeli parliament, stated, “As the political leadership, I authorize prayers on the Temple Mount. I prayed on the Temple Mount last week, and Jews pray on the Temple Mount. There is no reason parts of the Temple Mount should be off-limits for Jews.”
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While Jews and other non-Muslims are permitted to visit the mosque compound in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem during designated hours, they are traditionally not allowed to pray or display religious symbols there.
In recent years, these restrictions have increasingly been disregarded by hardline religious nationalists such as Ben Gvir, leading to occasional violent confrontations with Palestinians.
Ben Gvir’s comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was preparing to address the US Congress, seeking to garner support amid ongoing tensions with President Joe Biden’s administration over Israel’s handling of the conflict in Gaza.
