Archive · 24 Jul 2026
Ben-Gvir visits Al-Aqsa Mosque compound
Itamar Ben-Gvir, a minister in Israel, visited a very important religious place in Jerusalem called the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
This place is very special to both Jews and Muslims.
Jews are usually allowed to visit but not pray there.
Ben-Gvir said he saw Jews praying there, which he thinks is a good thing.
But other people, like Jordan and the Palestinian religious authorities, said this was not okay and that it goes against the rules that have been in place for a long time.
There was no fighting or trouble right after his visit, but people are worried it could cause problems in the future.
Israeli far-right police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
Ben-Gvir praised Jewish visitors who prayed at the site, despite arrangements that allow only Muslim prayer there.
The compound is one of the most sensitive sites in the Middle East, sacred to both Jews and Muslims.
Jordan and the Palestinian religious affairs ministry condemned Ben-Gvir’s visit, calling it a violation of the status-quo agreements.
There was no immediate sign of unrest after Ben-Gvir’s visit, but past visits and statements have sparked violence.
- Who
- Israeli far-right police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir
- What
- Visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound
- When
- July 23, on Tisha B’Av
- Where
- Jerusalem’s walled Old City
- Why
- To praise Jewish visitors who prayed at the site, despite arrangements that allow only Muslim prayer there
Ben-Gvir's Supporters
Critics of Ben-Gvir
Prayer at the Site
Ben-Gvir's Supporters
Jews should be allowed to pray at the site, marking progress and ownership.
Critics of Ben-Gvir
The status-quo should be maintained, allowing only Muslim prayer at the site.
- Location
- Jerusalem’s walled Old City
- Significance
- Most sacred site in Judaism and Islam’s third-holiest site
- Current Administration
- Jordanian religious foundation
- Date of Visit
- July 23
- Occasion
- Tisha B’Av, a day of fasting and lament in Judaism
- Condemnation
- Jordan’s foreign ministry and the Palestinian religious affairs ministry