Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem under heavy police protection on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The move has been widely condemned by Palestinians and Islamic authorities. Ben-Gvir's visit was part of a larger trend of Israeli politicians and settlers visiting the site, which has been a focal point of tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs strongly condemned Ben-Gvir's visit, calling it a "provocative attempt" to alter the historical status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque. The ministry emphasized that the mosque is an exclusively Islamic site and that any attempts to divide or share it are unacceptable. The visit has sparked fears of escalating tensions and violence in the region.
Ben-Gvir's visit came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site on Saturday, September 19, 2026, along with his wife and several ministers. Netanyahu's visit was part of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, during which thousands of settlers and Israeli officials visited the site. The visits have been criticized by Palestinians and Islamic authorities as a provocation.
The Islamic Jihad movement condemned Netanyahu's visit, calling it an "insult to Muslims and the free people of the world." The movement urged the Palestinian people and residents of Jerusalem to increase their presence at Al-Aqsa Mosque. The visit has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation across the Arab and Islamic world.
The visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque have been part of a larger trend of Israeli politicians and settlers attempting to assert control over the site. The site is considered holy by both Jews and Muslims, and any attempts to alter its status quo have been met with resistance from Palestinians and Islamic authorities. The situation remains tense, with fears of escalating violence and instability in the region.
The Palestinian Authority has called on the international community to intervene and prevent further provocations at Al-Aqsa Mosque. The authority has emphasized that the site is an exclusively Islamic site and that any attempts to alter its status quo will have serious consequences. The international community has been urged to take action to prevent further escalation.
The situation at Al-Aqsa Mosque remains volatile, with tensions between Israelis and Palestinians running high. The visits by Israeli politicians and settlers have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, and the situation is likely to remain tense in the coming days and weeks.
Key points
- The visit by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to Al-Aqsa Mosque has sparked widespread condemnation from Palestinians and Islamic authorities.
- The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has emphasized that Al-Aqsa Mosque is an exclusively Islamic site and that any attempts to divide or share it are unacceptable.
- The situation at Al-Aqsa Mosque remains volatile, with tensions between Israelis and Palestinians running high.
