### Israeli Minister's Prayer at Disputed Holy Site Provokes Outrage

Sat Oct 18 2025 15:59:58 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's prayer at the contentious Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif site incites strong reactions from Palestinian leaders and foreign officials.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's far-right National Security Minister, has sparked significant backlash by praying at the highly sensitive holy site in East Jerusalem, contradicting the established status quo that prohibits Jewish prayers there. This visit has led to condemnation from Jordan, Hamas, and Palestinian authorities, who view it as a serious infringement on religious sensitivities.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has ignited widespread anger after praying at a controversial religious site in occupied East Jerusalem, defying long-standing agreements around one of the region's most sensitive locations. Images of Ben-Gvir leading Jewish prayers at the site, identified by Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and by Jews as the Temple Mount, have circulated extensively. The site, also encompassing the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, traditionally allows Jewish visitors but forbids them from praying there.

In response to the incident, Israel's prime minister's office reaffirmed that there has been no alteration to its policy regarding the site, which is meant to preserve the status quo permitting Muslim worship exclusively. Jordan, which serves as the custodian of the holy site, referred to Ben-Gvir's action as "an unacceptable provocation." Meanwhile, Hamas denounced the act as an escalation of ongoing aggressions toward the Palestinian people, while Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's spokesperson stated that the visit "crossed all red lines."

The site is of profound significance to both Jews and Muslims. For Jews, it is the holiest place, where two ancient temples once stood; for Muslims, it ranks as the third holiest, believed to be the site of the Prophet Muhammad's ascent to heaven. Israel seized the site from Jordan during the 1967 Middle East War, allowing Jordan to maintain its historic custodial role while Israel took control of security and access.

The Waqf, the organization overseeing the site, reported that Ben-Gvir was among approximately 1,250 Jews who visited on Sunday morning. Although he has been to the site previously, reports indicate this marks the first occasion he has publicly prayed there. During his visit, police officers accompanied Ben-Gvir as he made his way through the compound. He commented on a "horror" video recently released by Hamas showing malnourished hostages and called for their return, reiterating his desire for Israel to occupy the entirety of the Gaza Strip and promoting "voluntary emigration" of Palestinians—a viewpoint criticized by experts as a potential war crime.

Ben-Gvir's record of inciting violence against Palestinian communities has prompted sanctions from the UK. The ramifications of his recent actions continue to reverberate through the region's fragile political landscape.