The incident occurred on the second day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, a week-long festival that commemorates the Israelites’ journey through the desert after their exodus from Egypt. During the event, illegal settlers, accompanied by Ben-Gvir, entered the mosque’s courtyards, where they reportedly conducted provocative tours and performed Talmudic rituals, according to eyewitnesses cited by Wafa. These actions were perceived as a direct challenge to the status quo of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which is administered by the Jordanian-run Islamic Waqf but remains under Israeli security control. The site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, making it a frequent flashpoint for conflict.
Israeli authorities implemented stringent measures to facilitate the settlers’ entry, deploying significant numbers of police and security forces around the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and its gates. These reinforcements were intended to ensure the safety of the settlers and to maintain order during the incursion. However, such measures have been criticized by Palestinian authorities and international observers as enabling violations of the mosque’s sanctity and exacerbating tensions in the region. The heavy security presence also restricted access for Palestinian worshippers, further fueling resentment and accusations of discrimination.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, located in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City, is one of the most contested religious sites in the world. For Muslims, it is the third-holiest site in Islam, believed to be the location where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during the Night Journey. For Jews, the site is revered as the location of the First and Second Temples, making it a focal point of religious and national significance. The competing claims to the site have long been a source of friction, with access and control tightly regulated under a fragile status quo agreement. This agreement stipulates that only Muslims are allowed to pray at the compound, while non-Muslims, including Jews, may visit under strict conditions but are prohibited from performing religious rituals.
Ben-Gvir’s decision to lead settlers into the compound is seen as a deliberate act of provocation, given his history of advocating for increased Jewish access to the site and his alignment with far-right ideologies that challenge the existing arrangements. His actions have drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian leaders, who view the incursion as an assault on their religious and national identity. The Palestinian Authority, through Wafa, condemned the event, accusing Israeli authorities of enabling settlers to desecrate the mosque under the guise of religious observance. The agency also highlighted the deployment of Israeli forces as evidence of state-backed aggression against Palestinian rights.
The timing of the incursion, coinciding with Sukkot, adds another layer of complexity. Sukkot is a major Jewish holiday that attracts large numbers of worshippers and visitors to Jerusalem, including those who seek to assert a Jewish presence at the Temple Mount. For settlers and far-right activists, such occasions provide an opportunity to push for greater access to the site, often under the protection of Israeli authorities. This has led to repeated clashes with Palestinian worshippers and residents, who see these incursions as attempts to undermine Muslim control over the mosque and alter the demographic and religious character of East Jerusalem.
The broader context of this event is rooted in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly the status of East Jerusalem. Israel captured East Jerusalem, including the Old City and the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it in a move not recognized by most of the international community. Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, while Israel considers the entire city its undivided capital. The conflicting claims have made the area a focal point for violence, protests, and diplomatic disputes.
Ben-Gvir, a polarizing figure in Israeli politics, has consistently pushed for policies that assert Israeli sovereignty over contested sites like the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. As National Security Minister, he oversees Israel’s police forces, giving him significant influence over security operations in sensitive areas. His involvement in the incursion is particularly inflammatory, as it signals official support for actions that challenge the delicate balance of religious coexistence in Jerusalem. Critics argue that his presence emboldens settlers and far-right groups, who have increasingly sought to expand their activities at the mosque compound in recent years.
The international community has long called for restraint in Jerusalem to avoid escalating tensions. The United Nations, the United States, and the European Union have repeatedly emphasized the importance of preserving the status quo at holy sites to prevent violence and maintain the possibility of a negotiated peace. However, incidents like the one led by Ben-Gvir undermine these efforts, drawing condemnation from Arab and Muslim-majority countries, as well as human rights organizations. Jordan, which serves as the custodian of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, has frequently protested Israeli actions at the site, warning of the potential for widespread unrest.
The incursion also raises questions about the role of Israeli security forces in facilitating settler activities. The deployment of large numbers of police to protect the settlers and secure their entry into the compound is seen by Palestinians as complicity in the violation of their religious rights. Reports of restricted access for Muslim worshippers during such incursions further exacerbate feelings of marginalization and injustice. These actions contribute to a cycle of distrust and hostility, making it increasingly difficult to achieve reconciliation or dialogue between the two communities.
For Palestinians, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is not only a religious site but also a symbol of national identity and resistance. Incursions like the one led by Ben-Gvir are perceived as part of a broader Israeli strategy to assert control over East Jerusalem and weaken Palestinian claims to the city. This perception is reinforced by the expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied territories, the demolition of Palestinian homes, and the imposition of restrictions on movement and access. These policies have fueled resentment and led to periodic outbreaks of violence, including protests, clashes, and attacks.
The incident at Al-Aqsa comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with ongoing conflicts and political developments adding to the sense of unease. The Israeli government’s increasingly right-wing orientation, coupled with the growing influence of figures like Ben-Gvir, has raised concerns about the future of peace efforts. Meanwhile, Palestinian factions, including the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, have called for unity in defending the mosque and resisting what they describe as Israeli aggression. Such rhetoric, while rallying support among Palestinians, risks escalating the situation further, potentially leading to broader confrontations.
In response to the incursion, Palestinian leaders have called for international intervention to protect the Al-Aqsa Mosque and hold Israel accountable for violating the status quo. They have also urged Muslim nations to take a stronger stance against Israeli actions at the site. However, the international community’s ability to influence events on the ground remains limited, as political divisions and competing priorities often hinder unified action. The United States, a key ally of Israel, has historically been reluctant to criticize Israeli policies in Jerusalem, while other countries face challenges in translating their condemnations into meaningful measures.
As tensions continue to simmer, the incident at the Al-Aqsa Mosque serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of the situation in Jerusalem. The actions of figures like Ben-Gvir, combined with the broader dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, threaten to undermine decades of efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region. For many Palestinians, the incursion is not an isolated event but part of a systematic campaign to erode their rights and presence in the city. For Israelis, particularly those on the far-right, it represents an assertion of sovereignty and religious connection to a sacred site.
Moving forward, the challenge lies in finding a way to balance the competing claims to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound while preventing further escalation. This requires dialogue, mutual respect, and a commitment to preserving the status quo, as well as addressing the broader issues of occupation, settlement expansion, and Palestinian self-determination. Without meaningful progress on these fronts, incidents like the one led by Ben-Gvir are likely to recur, further deepening the divide between Israelis and Palestinians and making the prospect of peace ever more elusive. The international community, regional powers, and local leaders must work together to de-escalate tensions and protect the sanctity of one of the world’s most revered religious sites.
