National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who has previous convictions for supporting terrorism and promoting anti-Arab racism in Israel, observed Tisha B’Av, a Jewish day of mourning, within the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, referred to by Jews as the Temple Mount.
On Tisha B’Av, Jews mark the destruction of two ancient temples that once stood on the land.
While there, he called for his country to “conquer” Gaza and “encourage” Palestinians to leave the enclave.
The complex is the holiest site in Judaism, where Jews face in prayer.
It is also the third holiest site in Islam.
While the site is open to visitors of all faiths, only Muslims are allowed to pray there under the “status quo agreement”, established since Israel captured Jerusalem’s Old City from Jordan in 1967.
Ben Gvir has visited the site on several occasions, including past Tisha B’Av events, but had not previously conducted a prayer service there.
The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs swiftly condemned Ben Gvir, branding him an “extremist” and asserting that his actions “blatantly disregard the sentiments of Muslims globally, not just in Palestine”.
According to the ministry, Islamic holy sites are subjected to “daily violations by settler groups supported by a right-wing government aiming to control both Islamic and Christian holy sites through a distinct and methodical plan,” as stated in their declaration.
Jordan, which administrates the holy site, and Saudi Arabia also condemned Ben Gvir’s actions.
Jordan’s foreign ministry labeled the event as a “blatant breach of international law and international humanitarian law, an intolerable provocation, and a denounced escalation”.
Hamas called the move a “grave and escalating crime against the mosque”.
Palestinians want East Jerusalem, where the compound is located, as the capital of their future state.
Most of the international community considers the eastern sector of the city as being under Israeli occupation.
Later yesterday, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement that its “policy of maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount has not changed and will not change”.
In the past, the PMO has emphasised that policy regarding the site is determined by the Israeli government and its prime minister, not individuals.
While at the site yesterday, Ben Gvir prayed “for Israel’s complete victory in the war, and for the safe return of all the hostages”, his office said.
“It is from here that a message must be sent: to conquer the entire Gaza Strip, declare sovereignty over all of Gaza, eliminate every Hamas member, and encourage voluntary emigration,” the minister said in a video recorded at the compound.
“Only in this way will we bring back the hostages and win the war.”
Earlier this week, Ben Gvir was declared a persona non grata by the Netherlands for reportedly inciting violence against Palestinians, advocating for the expansion of illegal settlements and calling for “ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip,” Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp wrote in a letter.
This came after Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on him, as well as Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in June.
