Israel's Ben-Gvir latest storming of Al-Aqsa sparks Arab condemnation

Ahram Online , Thursday 26 Dec 2024

Israel's extremist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem on Thursday, sparking Arab outcry accusing the far-right politician of a deliberate provocation.

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File Photo: Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir with his security and several settlers outside Al-Aqsa mosque. Photo courtesy of WAFA.

 

Ben-Gvir led settlers in a storming of the Al-Aqsa in occupied Jerusalem, under heavy protection from the Israeli police, marking the start of the Hebrew so-called "Feast of Lights" (Hanukkah).

Local sources reported that dozens of settlers, led by the far-right minister, entered Al-Aqsa in groups via the Moroccan Gate, performing provocative Talmudic rituals in its courtyards, according to WAFA news agency.

Israeli occupation authorities deployed a special unit within the mosque courtyards to secure the incursion and barred Palestinian worshippers from entering during Ben-Gvir's presence.

Additionally, the Israeli police intensified military measures around Jerusalem's Old City and at Al-Aqsa's gates, obstructing Palestinians from accessing the mosque grounds.

This marks the fourth time Ben-Gvir has stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque since assuming his ministerial position, continuing a pattern of provocative measures adopted by the Israeli government.

"I went up to the site of our temple this morning to pray for the peace of our soldiers, the swift return of all captives and a total victory, God willing," Ben-Gvir claimed in a message on social media platform X, referring to the Gaza war, according to AFP.

He also posted a photo of himself on the holy Islamic site, with members of the Israeli security forces and the famed Golden Dome of the Rock in the background.

In a statement, the Palestinian Authority's foreign ministry said it "condemns" Ben-Gvir's latest incursion, calling his prayer at the site a "provocation to millions of Palestinians and Muslims."

Moreover, Jordan, which administers the mosque compound, condemned Ben-Gvir's "provocative and unacceptable" actions through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Its statement denounced the action as a "violation of the historical and legal status quo."

Meanwhile, the Palestinian movement Hamas said: "The storming by the terrorist minister Ben-Gvir into the Al-Aqsa courtyards is a serious violation that reflects the escalation of the extremist occupation government’s actions towards Al-Aqsa."

Furthermore, the Jerusalem Governorate warned in a statement against the dangerous escalation that Jerusalem is witnessing.

The statement said: "These repeated incursions, led by extremist figures in the occupation government, foremost of whom is Ben-Gvir, are a systematic provocation to the feelings of Palestinians and Muslims worldwide, and are considered an overt attempt to alter the historical and legal status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque."

This legal status quo stipulates that only Muslims can pray and perform religious rituals in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, also known as Al-Haram Al-Sharif (noble sanctuary).

However, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a brief statement that the status quo on the Al-Aqsa mosque has not changed.

 

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