03-08-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Israeli far-right minister prays at flashpoint Jerusalem holy site, sparking condemnation
A far-right Israeli minister visited and prayed at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site on Sunday, triggering regional condemnation and fears that the provocative move could further escalate tensions.
The visit came as hospitals in Gaza said 27 more Palestinians seeking food aid were killed by Israeli fire.
With Israel facing global criticism over famine-like conditions in the besieged strip, the visit by Itamar Ben-Gvir to the hillside compound threatened to further set back efforts by international mediators to halt Israel's nearly two-year military offensive in Gaza.
The area, which Jews call the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism and was home to the ancient biblical temples. Muslims call the site the Noble Sanctuary.
Today it is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.
Visits by Israeli officials are considered a provocation across the Muslim world and openly praying violates a long-standing status quo at the site.
