Israel's Ben-Gvir storms Al-Aqsa mosque in occupied East Jerusalem

September 1, 2026 at 12:25 AM2 min

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Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday, performing prayers and calling for a Jewish temple on the site. The incursion drew condemnation from the Jerusalem governorate, which described it as a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of the mosque's status quo.

Key Facts

Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Monday accompanied by rabbis, settlers, and security personnel under the protection of Israeli occupation forces.
Ben-Gvir performed Talmudic prayers and rituals in the eastern section of the mosque's courtyards, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa.
The Jerusalem governorate condemned the incursion as a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of the mosque's historical and legal status.
Since 2003, Israeli police have allowed settlers to make daily incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, except on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Incursion

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday, performing prayers and appearing to call for a Jewish temple to be located on the site. With the protection of Israeli occupation forces, Ben-Gvir entered the compound accompanied by several rabbis, settlers, and security personnel, and declared plans to alter the historical status quo of Islam's third-holiest site. Ben-Gvir performed Talmudic prayers and rituals in the eastern section of the mosque's courtyards, Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. As part of the status quo arrangement in place since 1967, performing prayers is not allowed for non-Muslims, although Jewish people are permitted to visit the compound.

Reactions and Context

The Jerusalem governorate condemned the incursion, describing it as a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of the mosque's existing historical and legal status, as well as an attempt to impose new realities at the site and alter its Islamic identity, according to Wafa. Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, has stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound several times since taking office in 2022, drawing widespread condemnation. A regular advocate of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from the territories occupied by Israel, Ben-Gvir is part of a growing settler movement that wants to take over the compound and build a Jewish synagogue in place of the Muslim holy site. This latest incursion comes as tens of thousands of Jews have participated in recent days in Yom Kippur prayers, which last for a full month at the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, preceding Jewish holidays in September.

Status Quo and Settler Access

Since 2003, Israeli police have allowed settlers to make daily incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, except on Fridays and Saturdays. Israel often imposes restrictions on Palestinian worshippers.