Overview
- Ben-Gvir, who visited the Al-Aqsa/Temple Mount compound on Sunday, said he “feels like the owner” and is pushing for permits that would let Jews pray there.
- Jordan condemned the visit as a violation of the status quo and called it a desecration, while the Palestinian Authority said it blatantly breached the site’s historical and legal rules.
- Under the decades-old arrangement, Jews may visit the hilltop site but not pray, though Ben-Gvir’s spokesman said he prayed during the tour.
- The compound had only reopened to Palestinian worshippers days earlier after a closure of more than 40 days during Israel’s war with Iran, which included a ban on Ramadan and Eid prayers.
- Reuters reported no immediate unrest after the visit, while Al Jazeera said he entered with settlers under heavy police protection and offered prayers, reflecting competing narratives over a site that remains a flashpoint.