JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s ultranationalist safety minister ascended to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on Thursday for what he mentioned was a “prayer” for hostages in Gaza, freshly difficult guidelines over probably the most delicate websites within the Center East.
Israel’s official place accepts decades-old guidelines proscribing non-Muslim prayer on the compound, Islam’s third holiest website and often known as Temple Mount to Jews, who revere it as the positioning of two historic temples.
Underneath a fragile decades-old “status quo” association with Muslim authorities, the Al-Aqsa compound is run by a Jordanian spiritual basis and, below guidelines relationship again many years, Jews can go to however might not pray there.
In a publish on X, hardline Safety Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir mentioned: “I ascended today to our holy place, in prayer for the welfare of our soldiers, to swiftly return all the hostages and total victory with God’s help.”
The publish included an image of Ben-Gvir strolling within the compound, located on an elevated plaza in Jerusalem’s walled Previous Metropolis, however no pictures or video of him praying.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace instantly launched a press release restating the official Israeli place.
Palestinian militant group Hamas took about 250 hostages in its Oct. 7, 2023 assault on southern Israel during which 1,200 folks have been killed, in line with Israeli tallies. Within the ensuing struggle in Gaza, Israeli forces have killed over 45,300 Palestinians, in line with well being officers within the Hamas-run enclave.
Solutions from Israeli ultranationalists that Israel would alter guidelines about spiritual observance on the Al-Aqsa compound have sparked violence with Palestinians up to now.
In August, Ben-Gvir repeated a name for Jews to be allowed to wish on the Al-Aqsa mosque, drawing sharp criticism, and he has visited the mosque compound up to now.
Ben-Gvir, head of one in every of two religious-nationalist events in Netanyahu’s coalition, has a protracted file of constructing inflammatory statements appreciated by his personal supporters, however conflicting with the federal government’s official line.
Israeli police up to now have prevented ministers from ascending to the compound on the grounds that it endangers nationwide safety. Ben-Gvir’s ministerial file offers him oversight over Israel’s nationwide police pressure.
