Ben-Gvir Leads 20-Plus Nationalists Onto al-Aqsa as Pressure Mounts to Rewrite Status Quo
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 17
Ben-Gvir Leads 20-Plus Nationalists Onto al-Aqsa as Pressure Mounts to Rewrite Status Quo
2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 17
Summary
Itamar Ben-Gvir led flag-waving Israeli nationalists through East Jerusalem and onto the 35-acre al-Aqsa compound, where participants prayed and sang despite rules barring non-Muslim worship there.
The visit fed fears that Israeli hardliners are pushing to erode the decades-old status quo, under which a Jordanian-administered Waqf oversees the site and Muslim prayer remains exclusive.
Moshe Feiglin, among the group of around 20 religious Jews, openly called for a new Jewish temple on the site, while Ben-Gvir has already used his office to permit Jewish prayers and songs in parts of the compound.
Jordan, Egypt, Gulf states and Britain have warned the historic arrangements must be respected, and Waqf officials say any formal change could trigger a wider regional crisis.
The sensitivity is sharpened by precedent: Ariel Sharon's 2000 visit to the compound was widely seen as a spark for the second intifada, in which more than 4,000 people were killed.
As politicians challenge Al-Aqsa's status, is Jerusalem on the brink of another Intifada?
With reported talks to alter its governance, what is the future for Jerusalem's most contested holy site?
Incremental Changes at Al-Aqsa in 2026: Israeli Actions, Jordan’s Custodianship, and Regional Instability
Overview
The report highlights how the status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is being steadily eroded through a series of incremental changes, driven by a mix of political and religious motivations. Israeli influence at the site is expanding, with figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir openly seeking to alter established rules. These shifts depart from traditional practices and create new realities on the ground, deepening divisions within Israeli society and raising regional and international concerns. The situation is further complicated by large-scale events like the Jerusalem Day Flag March, which reflect growing assertiveness and government involvement, increasing the risk of escalation and instability.