Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sparked widespread condemnation after visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem and stating he “feels like the owner” of the site. The visit, which took place on April 12 under heavy police protection, marked his third entry into the compound this year.
Al-Aqsa is one of Islam’s holiest sites and a longstanding flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian officials and regional actors criticized the visit, describing it as a provocation and a violation of the longstanding “status quo” arrangement, under which the site is administered by a Jordanian Islamic trust.
Ben-Gvir, a far-right minister, has repeatedly advocated for increased Israeli control over the compound, which Jews refer to as the Temple Mount. His latest remarks intensified tensions, as similar visits in the past have triggered unrest.
The incident comes amid broader regional tensions and ongoing security operations in the occupied West Bank, further heightening concerns about escalation around the sensitive religious site.
