Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister, visited the Al Aqsa compound in Jerusalem’s Old City on December 26, 2024, during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. This visit has raised fresh tensions around one of the most sensitive religious sites in the Middle East.
The Al Aqsa compound, also known as the Temple Mount to Jews, holds deep significance for both Muslims and Jews. While it is Islam’s third holiest site, it is also revered by Jews as the location of two ancient temples.
Israel’s official stance upholds long-standing rules prohibiting non-Muslim prayer at the site, which is administered by a Jordanian religious body under a decades-old agreement.
In a social media post on X, Ben-Gvir stated: “I ascended today to our holy place, in prayer for the welfare of our soldiers, to swiftly return all the hostages and total victory with God’s help.” The post included a photo of him walking through the compound but did not show him praying.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office quickly reaffirmed Israel’s position, which aligns with the established rules for the site.
The visit comes amidst ongoing tensions. Since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and the abduction of around 250 hostages, the conflict has escalated. Israeli forces have since killed over 45,300 Palestinians in Gaza, according to health officials in the Hamas-controlled region.
Ben-Gvir, who heads one of the religious-nationalist parties in Netanyahu’s coalition, has previously called for Jewish prayer to be allowed at the Al Aqsa mosque, sparking criticism and fears of further violence. His visits to the site, along with his controversial statements, have often conflicted with the government’s official policies.
In the past, Israeli police have barred ministers from visiting the compound, citing national security concerns. However, as the minister overseeing Israel’s police force, Ben-Gvir’s actions carry additional weight and stir debate within the country and beyond.
