Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir Prays at Al-Aqsa, Sparking Controversy and Escalating Tensions

Al-Aqsa Compound Status Quo Violation

• 🕌 Israel's far-right National Security Minister Idomar Ben-Gvir stated he prayed at the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem, violating a decades-old status quo.
• 🤝 The established agreement, dating back to the late 1960s, permits non-Muslims to visit the site administered by a Jordanian religious foundation but prohibits prayer.
• 📢 Ben-Gvir's act was particularly provocative as he did it openly, leading 1,200 people and bringing cameras, unlike previous, more secretive instances.

Regional and International Condemnation

• 🇯🇴 Jordan, which administers the compound, condemned the move as a violation of international law, an unacceptable provocation, and a reprehensible escalation, asserting Israel has no sovereignty over the site.
• 🇵🇸 The Palestinian Authority declared that Ben-Gvir's actions had crossed all red lines.
• 🇮🇱 Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to issue a statement affirming that Israel's policy regarding the status quo has not changed, a move he has made before as Ben-Gvir has openly advocated for the agreement's abolition.

Ben-Gvir's Provocative Statements

• 🗣️ During his visit, Ben-Gvir reiterated calls for Israel to fully occupy Gaza, destroy Hamas, and encourage the