Palestinians denounce Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir’s raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque.
In a challenging demonstration of escalating tensions in the region, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir recently made headlines by storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, an act that signals a deeper unrest within the fragile dynamics of occupied East Jerusalem. This incident—set against a backdrop of ongoing geopolitical upheaval and the frequent infringement on the rights of Palestinian worshippers—reflects a disturbing trend that has been growing in recent years and raises important questions about worship, sovereignty, and coexistence.
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, marking his third incursion into this revered Islamic site in 2026 alone. This event occurred alongside the arrest of at least 18 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, highlighting the escalating tensions permeating the region. Ben-Gvir, accompanied by Israeli settlers and under heavy protection from security forces, conducted Jewish prayers at the site. Such acts are in violation of longstanding arrangements that prohibit non-Muslim prayers at the mosque, although Jewish visitors are generally permitted access.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry quickly condemned Ben-Gvir’s actions, characterizing them as a violation of the delicate status quo at the site and labeling them a “desecration of its sanctity” that constitutes an unacceptable provocation. Similarly, the Palestinian Authority expressed its disapproval, denouncing the repeated incursions as clear violations of the historical and legal arrangements governing the site, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.
Since assuming office in 2022, Ben-Gvir has entered the mosque compound at least 16 times, aligning himself with a growing movement aimed at expanding Jewish presence at Al-Aqsa. His aspirations include proposals for the construction of a Jewish synagogue in place of the historic mosque—a plan that resonates unfavorably among Palestinians and the international community alike. In a video circulated by his office, Ben-Gvir expressed a sense of ownership over the site and called for further action from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to assert greater control.
While Netanyahu’s office has yet to respond to these events, they follow a period of heightened restrictions, including a 40-day closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque imposed by Israeli authorities following military actions against Iran. Notably, particular restrictions halted prayers during the recent Eid al-Fitr celebrations, marking the first such prohibition since the onset of Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967. The mosque reopened to Palestinian worshippers on April 9, but subsequent incursions by settlers continued to generate conflict, with reports of Talmudic rituals being performed under police protection.
In addition, Israeli forces conducted raids across the West Bank, arresting several Palestinians, including a child, during an operation in the Dheisheh refugee camp near Bethlehem. This relentless cycle of clashes and encroachments has contributed to a significantly troubling situation, with humanitarian reports indicating that more than 1,100 Palestinians have lost their lives due to actions by Israeli forces and settlers since October 2023, along with widespread displacement.
As communities grapple with these complexities, the situation continues to evolve, demanding attention from the international community to foster dialogue and develop solutions that prioritize peace and coexistence in the region.
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