Israeli groups stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque and West Bank villages during Jewish holiday

14-08-2024

Israeli groups have forcefully entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, which is under occupation, as well as villages in the occupied West Bank, coinciding with the observance of a Jewish holiday.

On Tuesday, Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right national security minister, led a group of thousands into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, where he conducted prayers. Although Jewish religious practices are officially prohibited at this site, Israeli police reportedly provided protection, including to illegal settlers participating in acts of violence in the West Bank.

During his visit and prayers, Ben-Gvir pledged in a video to “defeat Hamas” in Gaza.

Al-Aqsa, the third holiest site in Islam and a symbol of Palestinian national identity, is also revered in Judaism as its holiest site. The Jewish day of mourning, Tisha B’Av, commemorates the destruction of an ancient temple on the site by the Romans in 70 AD.

Ben-Gvir, who leads a hardline political party crucial to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government, led over 2,000 Israelis through the compound, chanting Jewish hymns under the protection of Israeli police, according to an official from the Waqf, the Jordanian body responsible for the site’s custodianship, as reported by AFP.

“Minister Ben-Gvir, instead of preserving the status quo at the mosque, is overseeing the Judaisation process and attempting to alter the situation within Al-Aqsa Mosque,” the official stated.

The Israeli police also “imposed restrictions” on Muslim worshippers attempting to enter the mosque, the official added.

Reports indicate that Minister of Negev and Galilee Affairs Yitzhak Wasserlauf, along with other Israeli Knesset members, joined the procession.

The United States criticized Ben-Gvir, stating that his actions hindered efforts toward negotiating a Gaza ceasefire.

“It is not only unacceptable, but it also undermines what we consider a critical moment as we work to finalize this ceasefire deal,” said Vedant Patel, a State Department spokesperson, to reporters.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement saying, “These provocative actions only escalate tensions at a critical juncture when all efforts should be directed towards ongoing diplomatic endeavors to secure a ceasefire agreement, ensure the release of all hostages, and establish conditions for broader regional stability.”

The United Nations also condemned Ben-Gvir’s actions, describing his prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as “excessively provocative.”

“We oppose any attempts to alter the status quo at the holy sites,” stated deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.

“Al-Aqsa Mosque, like other sacred sites in Jerusalem, should be managed by the existing religious authorities. Such actions are unhelpful and unnecessarily provocative.”