Despite warnings, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on Tuesday. He came with police escort early in the morning. The ruling Islamist Palestinian organization in the Gaza Strip, Hamas, had warned against a visit and threatened another serious escalation.
The Temple Mount (Al-Haram al-Sharif) with the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam. But it is also sacred to Jews because there used to be two Jewish temples. The Temple Mount is under Muslim rule, while Israel is responsible for its security. Under an agreement with Muslim authorities, Jews can visit the facility, but not pray there. However, there are always violations. Ben-Gvir had criticized this agreement as “racist” and as discriminating against Jews. The Palestinians accuse Israel of seeking to expand its control over the holy site.
On the Palestinian side, Ben-Gvir’s visit is seen as a deliberate provocation. Even former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid wrote on Twitter on Monday: “Itamar Ben-Gvir should not visit the Temple Mount, this is a provocation that will lead to violence that endangers and takes human lives.”
Sharon’s visit sparked the second intifada
The second Palestinian uprising Intifada began in 2000 after a demonstrative visit to the Temple Mount by then-opposition leader Ariel Sharon.
Political arsonist
Ben-Gvir of the far-right Ozma Jehudit was previously convicted of racist hate speech and support for a Jewish terrorist organization. He is considered a political arsonist, especially with regard to the Palestinians. He is part of Benjamin Netanyahu’s new right-wing religious government, which was sworn in in Israel on Thursday.
Source: Krone
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