Lead

Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir led hundreds of Israeli Jews into Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Thursday, according to multiple reports. The visit, which coincided with Tisha B’Av, the Jewish fasting day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples, was described by Al Jazeera as one of the largest incursions seen this year, with the Palestinian Authority estimating the number of trespassers could reach about 5,000 by sunset.

Dawn reported that Ben Gvir led hundreds of fellow worshippers, including Jewish settlers who lined up from early morning to enter the site, where many performed prayers. Al Jazeera noted that the Israeli government has publicly maintained that its policy on the status quo remains unchanged.

Coverage Comparison

Al Jazeera framed the event as a provocative move by Ben Gvir ahead of national elections scheduled for October, with analysts describing it as part of a likely series of such moves. The outlet emphasized that incursions by Israeli settlers and officials have intensified in recent years and noted that Israeli authorities took extreme measures in the Old City ahead of the incursion.

Dawn’s report focused on the breach of the site’s decades-old status quo, highlighting that Ben Gvir and other Jewish visitors have repeatedly tested and breached the limits of the arrangement, including through open prayer at the compound. Both outlets reported the condemnation from Jordan and Turkiye.

Key Claims

  • Ben Gvir led the visit: Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir led hundreds of Israeli Jews into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, as reported by both Al Jazeera and Dawn. Al Jazeera noted that Ben Gvir has entered Al-Aqsa at least 16 times since becoming national security minister.
  • Timing and significance: The visit coincided with Tisha B’Av, a Jewish day of mourning marking the destruction of both ancient Jewish temples, according to both outlets.
  • Status quo breach: Dawn reported that Ben Gvir and other Jewish visitors have repeatedly tested and breached the limits of the status quo arrangement, which permits Jews to visit but not pray at the site, while Muslim worship is meant to continue uninterrupted.
  • Regional condemnation: Jordan and Turkiye condemned Ben Gvir’s visit, as reported by Dawn. Al Jazeera also noted Jordan’s condemnation, quoting Jordan as firmly rejecting and strongly condemning the continued incursions.
  • Israeli government position: The Israeli government has publicly maintained that its policy on the status quo remains unchanged, according to Dawn.
  • Security measures: Al Jazeera reported that Israeli authorities took extreme measures in the Old City ahead of the incursion, and that police arrested 16 Jewish suspects over alleged damage to a Muslim cemetery in occupied East Jerusalem overnight.
  • Far-right rhetoric: Al Jazeera noted that the rhetoric of the far-right has escalated in recent weeks.

Perspectives

  • Israeli government: The Israeli government has publicly stated that its policy on the status quo at the Al-Aqsa compound remains unchanged, as reported by Dawn.
  • Jordanian government: Jordan firmly rejects and strongly condemns the continued incursions by Israeli officials, Knesset members, and extremists, according to Al Jazeera’s quote of Jordan’s statement.
  • Palestinian Authority: The Palestinian Authority said it expected the number of trespassers to increase, potentially reaching about 5,000, and has drawn condemnation from Jordan and the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, as reported by Al Jazeera and Dawn.