![]() ![]() ![]() The visit comes days after Israelis marked Jerusalem Day, which celebrates Israel’s capture of east Jerusalem, including the Old City, in the 1967 Mideast war. Jordan, which serves as the custodian over the mosque, called it “a provocative step that is condemned, and a dangerous and unacceptable escalation.” Neighboring Egypt, which has a peace treaty with Israel, also issued a condemnation. Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh called Ben-Gvir’s visit a “blatant attack” on the mosque. He praised the police presence at the site, saying it “proves who is in charge in Jerusalem.” “I am happy to come up to the Temple Mount, the most important place for the Israeli people,” Ben-Gvir said in a video statement made during his early morning visit, with Islam's golden Dome of the Rock in the background. ![]() Ben-Gvir has long called for increased Jewish access. But in recent years, a growing number of Jewish visitors have begun to quietly pray, raising fears among Palestinians that Israel is plotting to divide or take over the site. Under longstanding arrangements, Jews are permitted to visit the site, but not to pray there. ![]()
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