Jerusalem, MINA – Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday, provoking widespread outrage from Palestinians and regional governments.
According to Anadolu Agency, the provocative incursion marked the anniversary of Israel’s occupation of the city and is the seventh such intrusion by Ben-Gvir since joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in 2022.
“There are actually a large number of Jews flocking here, and it’s a joy to see this,” Ben-Gvir said in a video filmed from inside the mosque complex. “Today, Jews can pray and prostrate here. We thank God for that,” he added.
Ben-Gvir was accompanied by other Israeli officials, including Minister of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience Yitzhak Wasserlauf, and Knesset member Yitzhak Kroizer. During the visit, Ben-Gvir also offered a prayer for the success of newly appointed Shin Bet chief David Zini, urging him to “crush our enemies.”
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Palestinian resistance group Hamas condemned the visit as a “desperate attempt” to Judaize the mosque, vowing that Palestinians would continue to defend the sacred site and oppose any attempts to divide or alter its Islamic identity.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry strongly denounced the incursion, calling it a “flagrant violation” of international law and of Israel’s responsibilities as an occupying power. The ministry reaffirmed that East Jerusalem remains an occupied city under international law.
More than 1,500 illegal Israeli settlers reportedly entered the Al-Aqsa compound under heavy police protection on Monday, with many performing provocative rituals. []
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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