In a move condemned across the Muslim and Arab world, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under tight police escort early Saturday morning, in open defiance of longstanding religious protocols and international warnings. His visit comes amid heightened Israeli-Palestinian tensions and a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Ben-Gvir’s presence at the site — Islam’s third holiest sanctuary — violates the long-standing status quo agreement, which bars non-Muslim prayer or political display at the compound. His repeated visits are seen as deliberate provocations meant to assert Jewish control over the contested site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.
What Is the Al-Aqsa Status Quo?
The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound has, since Israel’s 1967 occupation of East Jerusalem, been governed by a fragile understanding: while the Islamic Waqf (administered by Jordan) retains custodianship of the mosque, Israel controls the outer security. Non-Muslims are allowed to visit at certain times — but not to pray or make political gestures.
Ben-Gvir’s visit defied this understanding and appeared to signal an escalation of the broader Israeli policy of asserting sovereignty over Muslim holy sites.
International and Regional Backlash
The Palestinian Authority condemned the visit as a “declaration of religious war,” warning that Israel was “playing with fire.”
Jordan, the official custodian of Al-Aqsa, lodged a formal diplomatic protest, calling it a “flagrant violation” of international law.
Hamas, based in Gaza, labeled it a “desecration” and threatened retaliation.
But the outrage did not stop there.
Saudi Arabia: “An Unforgivable Provocation”
The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded statement denouncing Ben-Gvir’s visit as “an unforgivable provocation that violates the sanctity of Muslim holy sites.” The statement warned that “continued violations will fuel instability and endanger regional peace.”
Though Saudi Arabia has recently explored diplomatic overtures with Israel under U.S. pressure, this incident may further complicate any normalization talks.
Turkey: “A Red Line Has Been Crossed”
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the intrusion, calling it “a red line that has been crossed.” He accused Israel of “deliberate attempts to ignite religious conflict” and vowed to bring the matter before the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations.
Iran: “A Prelude to Zionist Expansionism”
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei issued a public address accusing Israel of “Zionist expansionism masked as religious assertion.” The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Ben-Gvir’s actions “prove the apartheid.”
Political Motive or Religious Incitement?
Critics argue that Ben-Gvir’s visit was not simply symbolic — it was deliberately incendiary. Analysts believe the move was crafted to consolidate far-right support inside Israel and advance the radical agenda of asserting full Israeli sovereignty over the entire Temple Mount.
“Ben-Gvir’s provocations are not rogue — they are part of a wider state-sanctioned policy to reshape Jerusalem’s religious geography,” said Dr. Leila Haddad, a political analyst specializing in Middle East affairs.
Conclusion: What Now?
As tensions rise, the possibility of a broader regional backlash looms. With Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Jordan, and Palestinian leaders unified in condemnation, the international community faces renewed pressure to intervene diplomatically and reaffirm the sanctity of religious agreements.
In a region already on the brink, one man’s 10-minute walk through a sacred courtyard may have just ignited a fire that’s harder to put out than ever before.
