Picture courtesy of Itamar Ben-Gvir X account

 

Israel’s ultra-nationalist National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has ignited controversy by praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, a site deeply revered by both Muslims and Jews. This act defies a long-standing arrangement that permits Jewish visitors but bans them from praying there. The compound, called the Temple Mount by Jews, is located in occupied East Jerusalem.

 

The Israeli Prime Minister’s office insists there has been no breach in the status quo, which grants exclusive Muslim worship rights under an agreement with Jordan, the custodian of the site. Nonetheless, Ben-Gvir's actions drew strong reactions. Jordan slammed the visit as an "unacceptable provocation," while Palestinian entities, including Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas’ spokesperson, condemned it as escalating tensions.

 

The site holds immense significance; it’s the holiest site for Jews and the third holiest for Muslims, believed by the latter to be the Prophet Muhammad’s ascension point. Israel seized the site from Jordan during the 1967 Middle East war but allowed Jordan to maintain its custodial role while controlling security and access.

 

Palestinians allege Israeli measures are undermining these historical agreements, pointing out that Jewish visits often include prayers unimpeded by Israeli police. The Waqf, the Islamic body administering the site, reported that Ben-Gvir was among 1,250 Jewish visitors that day, according to the BBC.

 

Ben-Gvir, accompanied by police during his visit, has frequented the compound before, but this marks his first public act of prayer there, as per the Times of Israel. He cited recent distressing footage of hostages, believed to be a tactic by Hamas to pressure Israel, during his visit. He reiterated calls for a full Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip and controversially suggested "voluntary emigration" of Palestinians, a notion experts warn could constitute a war crime.

 

His actions have not gone unnoticed internationally. The UK already holds sanctions against him due to his "repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities" in the West Bank.

 

The unfolding reactions highlight the sensitive nature of Jerusalem's spiritual landscape, and actions like Ben-Gvir’s risk igniting broader conflict. This incident reinforces the complex and volatile dynamic governing such revered and contested sites in the Middle East.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-08-04

 

It would be completely hypocritical for this man to pray anywhere, whether it be a temple or a mosque and then continue to support genocide and mass murder of women and children. 

 

The Israeli government would appear to have forgotten every lesson that it was supposed to have learned from the Holocaust, they have strayed so far away from their founding principles. 

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

It would be completely hypocritical for this man to pray anywhere, whether it be a temple or a mosque and then continue to support genocide and mass murder of women and children. 

 

The Israeli government would appear to have forgotten every lesson that it was supposed to have learned from the Holocaust, they have strayed so far away from their founding principles. 

Sure happy HAMAS would not do this.  You have watched too much propaganda.

People and their imaginary friends eh. SMH.

The israeli ministers are pure evil. This Nazi also declared sovereigny over the entire Gaza strip as well as calling for the cleansing of all Palestinians.

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2025/8/4/why-itamar-ben-gvirs-al-aqsa-prayer-caused-so-much-anger#flips-6376537867112:0

3 minutes ago, Chris.C said:

 

The israeli ministers are pure evil. This Nazi also declared sovereigny over the entire Gaza strip as well as calling for the cleansing of all Palestinians.

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2025/8/4/why-itamar-ben-gvirs-al-aqsa-prayer-caused-so-much-anger#flips-6376537867112:0

Neo national socialist jew haters are pure evil.

15 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Neo national socialist jew haters are pure evil.

Do you condone this man’s actions and plans for Ethnic cleansing? 
Do you like this person?
 

 

57 minutes ago, Chris.C said:

Do you condone this man’s actions and plans for Ethnic cleansing? 
Do you like this person?
 

 

Dont start wars. Release the hostages. Surrender or die.

Whatever..... They're all praying -- preying -- to the same demonic god.

 

Next.

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

Dont start wars. Release the hostages. Surrender or die.

What you don’t condemn you condone.

Now I know  you are a ultra nationalist fundamentalist like this monster.

I am still surprised that everybody has been convinced that peace, friendship, love, and group masturbating while singing kumbaya together is the normal state of human affairs. Humans have been conducting warfare on each other continuously for 300,000 years. It's in our DNA. 

9 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

It would be completely hypocritical for this man to pray anywhere, whether it be a temple or a mosque and then continue to support genocide and mass murder of women and children. 

 

The Israeli government would appear to have forgotten every lesson that it was supposed to have learned from the Holocaust, they have strayed so far away from their founding principles. 

Because quietly praying at the site of a jew Temple that was destroyed by muslim invaders is a violent affair?

2 hours ago, Chris.C said:

Do you condone this man’s actions and plans for Ethnic cleansing? 
Do you like this person?
 

 

Are those the  talking points for today from Qatar?

1 hour ago, Chris.C said:

What you don’t condemn you condone.

Now I know  you are a ultra nationalist fundamentalist like this monster.

Thanks! At least Im not a neo national socialist jew hating baby killing terrorist troglodyte. 

 

@Yagoda That's true. You are something MUCH WORSE.

9 minutes ago, SMIAI said:

@Yagoda That's true. You are something MUCH WORSE.

 

   What is he ?

Very selfish from the Muslims .

Anyone should be allowed to pray there to whomever they like

🤮

34 minutes ago, SMIAI said:

@Yagoda That's true. You are something MUCH WORSE.

Thats fine. My side is winning, yours is losing. Again.

17 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Very selfish from the Muslims .

Anyone should be allowed to pray there to whomever they like

To a Muslim, there is no legitimate religion other than Islam.  Its very medieval.

@Yagoda your side is despised the world over....

2 minutes ago, SMIAI said:

@Yagoda your side is despised the world over....

Cool. Shows freedom and peace is winning. Why isnt a real man like you fighting against the Israelis btw. Scared of the Jews?

9 minutes ago, SMIAI said:

@Yagoda your side is despised the world over....

 

   Jews are mainly disliked by Muslims and Catholics , they both believe that they are the true chosen ones and that Jews should be removed  

147 countries....and counting. You convince yourself otherwise. Need a comforter?

https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-863019

3 minutes ago, SMIAI said:

147 countries....and counting. You convince yourself otherwise. Need a comforter?

 

   147 Countries what ?

If the God I presume he was praying to actually did an exist, a bolt of lightning would have been a blessing.

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Jews are mainly disliked by Muslims and Catholics , they both believe that they are the true chosen ones and that Jews should be removed  

You have now taken it upon yourself to speak for all Jews, all Catholics and all Muslims.

 

 

17 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

You have now taken it upon yourself to speak for all Jews, all Catholics and all Muslims.

 

 

 

   My post was just speaking on behalf of Muslims and Catholics .

Wasn't spealing on behalf of Jews 

3 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   My post was just speaking on behalf of Muslims and Catholics .

Wasn't spealing on behalf of Jews 

Oh, so speaking on behalf of only 4.3 billion people.

 

Still, it’s something of an achievement.