Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sparks controversy over Jerusalem's Temple Mount

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a far-right figure in the current Israeli government, has ignited yet another controversy by questioning the long-standing status quo on Jerusalem's Temple Mount, known to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. 

In a provocative statement made during an interview with Israeli military radio Galei Tzahal on Monday, Ben Gvir expressed a desire to construct a synagogue on the highly contested site, which is one of the most sensitive religious locations in the world.

Since taking office in December 2022, Ben Gvir has made at least six visits to the Temple Mount, actions that have been widely condemned by Palestinians and several international governments as deliberate provocations and violations of the fragile status quo. 

According to this arrangement, non-Muslims, including Jews, are permitted to visit the site at specific times but are not allowed to pray there. This agreement, established after Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967, is meant to prevent further tensions in a region already fraught with conflict.

However, Ben Gvir's recent remarks have intensified concerns. When asked directly whether he would establish a synagogue on the Temple Mount if given the chance, he responded affirmatively: "Yes." This statement has drawn significant criticism, given the site's deep religious significance to both Muslims and Jews.

A Contested Sacred Space

The Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa compound is the third holiest site in Islam, built on the ruins of the Second Jewish Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. For Jews, it is the holiest site in Judaism, known as the Temple Mount. The location is a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has been the scene of recurrent tensions, sometimes escalating into broader violence, such as the clashes in the spring of 2021.

Ben Gvir defended his stance by claiming that if Muslims are allowed to pray freely across Israel, Jews should have the same rights on the Temple Mount. However, his views have sparked fears of increased instability, particularly given that the site is officially administered by Jordan, though Israeli security forces control access to it.

Ben Gvir's actions have not only drawn international concern but have also caused friction within the Israeli government. Following his actions on August 13, where he led hundreds of Israelis in prayer at the Temple Mount during a Jewish holiday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement reaffirming that the government's policy, not individual ministers, dictates the handling of the Temple Mount. 

Despite this, Ben Gvir continued to assert that current policy permits Jewish prayer at the site, prompting yet another rebuttal from Netanyahu's office, which insisted there has been "no change in the status quo on the Temple Mount."

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has also publicly criticized Ben Gvir's actions, particularly in the context of Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Gallant described Ben Gvir's actions as "dangerous, unnecessary, and irresponsible," emphasizing that they jeopardize Israel's security at a critical time.