Controversial Visit by Itamar Ben-Gvir to Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex Raises International Criticism and Questions on Changes to Temple Mount

Jerusalem –

Minister of National Security Israel Itamar Ben-Gvir returned to visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex. Ben-Gvir was criticized by the world for his controversial action.

Reported Jerusalem PostTuesday (23/5/2023), Ben-Gvir said the Israeli government was making changes to the Temple Mount, a holy site for Jews in the same complex, ‘slowly and quietly’.

Ben-Gvir’s statement was made when he attended a banquet in commemoration of Jerusalem Day which was held by the Temple Mount Authority on Sunday (21/5) local time.

“We have the privilege to live in this kind of generation. We have the privilege to live in a situation where ministers, the chairman of the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament) and members of the Knesset are coming (to the Temple Mount). Who would have thought it would happen so fast ? And it’s happening,” said Ben-Gvir.

“It’s true that there is still more to the process (to go through). There are changes that we are making, as they say slowly, slowly, quietly, secretly,” he said as heard in the video released Temple Mount Authority.

However, there is no explanation about what kind of ‘change’ is meant by Ben-Gvir. Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stressed Israel is acting to maintain the status quo on the Temple Mount.

“Israel is committed to maintaining freedom of worship, free access to all religions and the status quo on the Temple Mount, and will not allow violent extremists to change this,” Netanyahu said in April. Netanyahu has yet to comment on Ben-Gvir’s latest statement.

During this time, Jews visiting the Temple Mount were told that praying and carrying religious items, such as prayer books or prayer scarves, were prohibited inside the holy compound. Although since the end of 2019, Jews have been able to pray silently there.

Since the beginning of last year, there have been several incidents when Jews have offered prayers and chanted loudly, even while waving the Israeli flag at the holy complex of three religions. Although many of those people were eventually caught.

In the past, the High Court ruled that Jews had the legal right to pray on the Temple Mount. However, the Israeli police, citing security reasons, imposed a comprehensive ban on all Jews from praying at the holy compound.

The World Condemns Ben-Gvir

Ben-Gvir’s latest visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem has drawn international condemnation. Moreover, Ben-Gvir made comments by declaring Israel ‘responsible’ in Jerusalem.

Reported Jerusalem Post and Reuters, Tuesday (23/5/2023), Ben-Gvir has visited the holy complex several times. The Al-Aqsa Mosque complex is a holy place for Muslims. The complex is also home to the Temple Mount which is sacred to Jews.

“I am happy to be able to climb to the Temple Mount, the most important place for the Israeli people,” said Ben-Gvir while at the holy compound which is also a frequent site of clashes between Muslims and Jews in Jerusalem.

“It has to be said that the police did an excellent job here and once again proved who is in charge in Jerusalem,” he continued.

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Also watch ‘When the World Condemns Israel After the Attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque’:

(haf/haf)