Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's Controversial Prayer at Jerusalem Holy Site

Visit to Al-Aqsa Compound

• 🇮🇱 Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
• 🕍 He reportedly led Jewish prayers at the site, violating a decades-old arrangement.

Status Quo Violation

• 📜 The arrangement allows Jews to visit the compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, but prohibits prayer.
• 🕌 Muslims view prayer by non-Muslims at the site as a major provocation.
• ⚠️ Ben-Gvir's actions have been called an "unacceptable provocation" by Jordan, the site's custodian.

Political Statements and Controversies

• 🗣️ Ben-Gvir called for Israel's sovereignty over the Gaza Strip and the removal of Hamas.
• 🇵🇸 He also mentioned encouraging "voluntary immigration" of Palestinians from Gaza, which experts suggest could amount to forced displacement and a war crime.
• ⚖️ Ben-Gvir, an ultra-nationalist minister, has previously been sanctioned by the UK government for inciting violence against Palestinian communities.
• 📢 The Israeli prime minister's office stated there was no change to the policy of maintaining the status quo at the site.