"This is our land!": Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir again provoked near Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir made a repeat visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which drew sharp criticism from Arab states. Despite warnings of a possible escalation of violence, the politician publicly emphasized his claims to control the area.

According to Cri.cn, the far-right minister published a video of his visit in which he stated, “Today I feel like I own this land.” The visit was the second in the past week and came amid a general escalation of the situation in the region.

Under a decades-old status quo agreement, Jews are allowed to visit the compound, but performing prayers for them remains prohibited. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is Islam’s third holiest shrine, while Jews revere the site as the Temple Mount, the site of two ancient temples. Itamar Ben-Gvir has consistently advocated changing these rules in favor of Jewish worshippers. In turn, Arab officials and Palestinian leaders view such actions as a direct threat to stability and a provocation in one of the world’s most sensitive religious centers.

Recall that on August 3, 2025, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and a group of Knesset deputies stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and staged a provocation on the territory of the structure. Palestinian representatives claim that the Israeli officials performed Talmudic rituals in the mosque.