LONDON: Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was accompanied by security forces as he toured the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard in East Jerusalem on Monday, a visit that sparked anger after Palestinians had been barred from entering for the past 38 days.
The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem said that Ben-Gvir toured the mosque’s courtyards, entering through the Mughrabi Gate before proceeding to the Chain Gate.
Israeli authorities closed Al-Aqsa Mosque on Feb. 28, the same day Israel and the US launched joint airstrikes against Iran. Authorities prevented Palestinians from worshipping at the site during the month of Ramadan and on the Eid El-Fitr holiday in March under the state of emergency.
Ben-Gvir has visited the mosque at least 14 times since taking office in 2023, according to Wafa news agency.
The mosque is administered by Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf, which holds the legal authority to manage the compound and control access.
Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Ben-Gvir’s latest tour on Monday, calling it an unacceptable provocation and a violation of the site’s sanctity and legal status, the Petra news agency reported.
The action follows growing demands from settler groups to increase incursions into the mosque compound during the Passover holiday, according to Wafa.
On Sunday, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled to increase the number of worshippers allowed at the Western Wall plaza, the most sacred site for Jews, from 50 to 100, effective until April 7. Meanwhile, access to Easter services at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem has been restricted to clergy, as the church has been closed to Christian worshippers since the end of February.
