An Israeli crowd led by hard-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed Jerusalem's most holy site today in a pilgrimage seen by Muslims as provocative. The visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque launches a fresh challenge to rules covering one of the most sensitive sites in the Middle East, with tensions over the compound fuelling violence before.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the visit as a 'provocative intrusion' that endangered the fragile status quo regarding the Jerusalem compound. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly denied any change to rules prohibiting Jews from praying at the site, holy to both Muslims and Jews, and rebuked Ben-Gvir, the national security minister.
His remarks come at a sensitive time, with the war in Gaza at risk of escalating into a wider conflict, potentially drawing in Iran and its regional proxies. Ben-Gvir's visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque coincided with a Jewish holiday, further complicating the situation and adding to the already heightened tensions in the region.
The Israeli crowd's actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque have sparked controversy and condemnation, highlighting the delicate balance of power and religious sensitivities in Jerusalem. As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on how leaders navigate these complex dynamics to prevent further escalation and maintain stability in the region.
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