Story perspectives

Israeli Minister Leads Settlers into Al-Aqsa, Foreign Ministers Condemn

7/24/2026

Center

Ben-Gvir Visits Al-Aqsa

Israeli police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Thursday, July 23 2026.
Israel’s Foreign Affairs Ministry condemned the visit as violating the historic status-quo; Jordan’s foreign ministry called it desecration and provocation.
Development Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf accompanied Ben-Gvir during the ascent of the Temple Mount.
No immediate signs of unrest were reported after the minister’s appearance.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not comment at the time.

Left

Ben-Gvir Mosque Raid

On Thursday, July 23 2026, Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and thousands of settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
Eight Arab and Muslim-majority foreign ministers issued a joint statement condemning the incursion as an unlawful attempt to alter the holy-site status-quo.
Palestinian officials reported Israeli forces barred many worshippers and students from entering the mosque.
Police arrested 16 Jewish suspects after they attacked Palestinians and vandalised a Muslim cemetery.

History

Historical Context

In the June 5-10, 1967 Six-Day War Israel seized East Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa compound from Jordan. The UN Security Council responded on 22 November 1967 with Resolution 242, calling for Israeli withdrawal from the territories captured. Ben-Gvir’s July 23, 2026 climb of the Temple Mount revives that dispute, drawing condemnation from Jordan’s royal family and foreign ministers and warning of renewed regional tension.

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Ben-Gvir Visits Al-Aqsa

Israeli police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Thursday, July 23 2026.
Israel’s Foreign Affairs Ministry condemned the visit as violating the historic status-quo; Jordan’s foreign ministry called it desecration and provocation.
Development Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf accompanied Ben-Gvir during the ascent of the Temple Mount.
No immediate signs of unrest were reported after the minister’s appearance.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not comment at the time.

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