Key points
- Jordan, Palestinians condemn visit as serious provocation
- Israel insists no change to holy site policy
- Ben-Gvir calls for Gaza occupation, Palestinian emigration
- UK sanctions Ben-Gvir over incitement against Palestinians
ISLAMABAD: Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has visited the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem and conducted prayers there—violating a decades-old arrangement governing one of the most sensitive religious sites in the Middle East.
▶️ Israeli minister Ben-Gvir says he prayed at Al-Aqsa mosque compound https://t.co/mcEwKK5zl0 pic.twitter.com/LuVdrZRHLM
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) August 3, 2025
Photographs and footage from the visit show Ben-Gvir leading Jewish prayers at the compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, located in occupied East Jerusalem, according to the BBC.
Praying at the site contravenes a long-standing agreement that permits Jewish visitors but prohibits them from praying there.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement asserting there had been no change to Israel’s policy of maintaining the status quo, which allows only Muslim worship at the site.
Unacceptable provocation
Jordan, which serves as custodian of the site, condemned Ben-Gvir’s visit as “an unacceptable provocation”.
Hamas described the visit as “a deepening of the ongoing aggressions against our Palestinian people”, while a spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said it had “crossed all red lines”.
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem and said he prayed there, challenging rules covering one of the most sensitive sites in the Middle East https://t.co/rx23pNVqHg pic.twitter.com/GnQXYHhbZq
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 3, 2025
The site is Judaism’s holiest location as it once housed two ancient temples. For Muslims, it is the third holiest site, from where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ascended to heaven.
Israel seized the compound from Jordan during the 1967 Middle East War. Under the status quo agreement, Jordan retained its historical custodianship of the site, while Israel took control of security and access.
Palestinians have accused Israel of gradually eroding this arrangement, noting that in recent years Jewish visitors have increasingly prayed at the site without intervention from Israeli police.
Ultra-nationalist leader
The Waqf, the Islamic endowment managing the compound, said Ben-Gvir was among 1,250 Jewish visitors who entered the site on Sunday morning.
While Ben-Gvir, an ultra-nationalist who oversees Israel’s police, has visited the compound in the past, the Times of Israel reported this was the first occasion on which he was seen openly praying there.
Hardcore Israeli minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir storms into the Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem, leading settlers in Jewish rituals inside Islam’s 3rd holiest site.
This is a calculated provocation — a direct assault on Muslim heritage and the sanctity of Al‑Aqsa. pic.twitter.com/ttIVtX3vlz
— Zohran Mamdani (@zohranmamdani) August 3, 2025
He was accompanied by police officers throughout the visit.
Speaking from the site, Ben-Gvir referred to recently released footage of hostages held by Hamas, in which they appeared malnourished, saying the videos were intended to pressure Israel. He reiterated demands for the hostages’ return.
Forced displacement
The minister also repeated his call for Israel to occupy the entirety of the Gaza Strip and to encourage what he termed the “voluntary emigration” of Palestinians from the territory.
Israeli forces have arrested three Al-Aqsa Mosque guards after far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, accompanied by more than 1,000 Israelis, stormed the compound, reports the Ministry of Islamic Endowments.
🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/RSfXTz4rAj pic.twitter.com/zGTv24AU5p
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 3, 2025
Experts have said such a move would amount to the forced displacement of civilians and could constitute a war crime.
Ben-Gvir is currently under UK sanctions for what the British government described as “repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities” in the occupied West Bank.
