Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sparked fresh controversy on Thursday by visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a site deeply sacred to both Muslims and Jews. During his visit, which coincided with the Jewish day of mourning, Tisha B'Av, Ben-Gvir openly lauded Jewish visitors for defying the long-standing status quo that prohibits non-Muslim prayer at the site. In a video released following the visit, the minister claimed that Jewish worshippers were now "feeling like the owners of the place," a statement that directly challenges the delicate arrangements governing the Old City’s most sensitive landmark.

The visit has drawn sharp rebukes from Palestinian officials and the Jordanian government, both of which characterized the act as a provocative violation of historical religious agreements. Jordan, which oversees the site’s administration, condemned the move as a "barbaric" and unacceptable desecration. While the area remained calm immediately following the event, the incident highlights persistent fears that any move to alter the site’s traditional rules could trigger widespread unrest. Despite the backlash, there has been no official statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office to address the latest breach of policy.