Official statements from the Prime Minister's office or credible news sources

Ben-Gvir and Wasserlauf Lead Over 1,000 Settlers in Controversial Al-Aqsa Visit

Aug 13, 2024, 11:42 AM

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, along with Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf, led a group of over 1,000 Israeli settlers in a visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, sparking significant controversy. The settlers, under heavy protection from Israeli forces, conducted Talmudic rituals and prayers at the site, which is known to Jews as the Temple Mount. They also carried Israeli flags during the visit. This action challenges the long-standing status quo that prohibits Jewish prayer at the sensitive location. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had recently reiterated this policy, but Ben-Gvir's actions indicate a divergence from official government stance. The event has drawn criticism from various quarters, including a rare condemnation from Netanyahu, amid rising tensions in the region.