Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu And Right-wing Minister Ben Gvir Again Criticize Each Other About The Quo Status Of Al Aqsa Mosque Complex

Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex. (Wikimedia Commons/Andrew Shiva)

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have again criticized each other regarding the status quo of the Al Aqsa Mosque Complex or the Mount Temple in Jerusalem, after thousands of Jews entered the area today and prayed there.

Around 1,600 Jews entered the Al Aqsa Mosque Complex on Tuesday and performed worship rituals and prayed. They received escort from Israeli security forces. It received criticism from Palestine for violating the agreed status quo. Ben Gvir was one of those present and prayed there.

Ben Gvir said while in the area his policy allowed Jews to pray there, contrary to the status quo governing the holy site.

"We are in Thasha BAv, Temple Mount, to mark the destruction of the Holy Bait," he said in a message recorded and released by his right wing party Otzma Baddit, quoted from The Times of Israel August 13.

"However, this needs to be said sincerely: there is very significant progress here in governance, in sovereignty. As I have said, our policy is to allow prayer," he continued.

מסר חשוב מהר הבית, בתשעה באב: pic.twitter.com/9GYa5CZHHw

— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) August 13, 2024

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In response, PM Netanyahu again rejected Ben Gvir's statement regarding permission for Jews to pray there.

"The determination of policies at Temple Mount is directly subject to the government and the prime minister," said the Prime Minister's Office.

"There is no personal policy by certain ministers at Temple Mount either by the minister of national security or other ministers. This is how it is under all Israeli rule," the statement continued.

"This morning's incident at Temple Mount is a deviation from the status quo. Israel's policy on Temple Mount has not changed. This is how it is and will continue like this," the statement added.

Responding to Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement, Ben Gvir adhered to his stance, insisting there is no law that allows discrimination against Jews at the Mount Temple.

"The policy of the national security minister is to allow freedom of worship for Jews everywhere, including Temple Mount, and Jews will continue to do so in the future," he said in a statement.

"Temple Mount is a sovereign area in the capital of the State of Israel," he said.

"No law allows racist discrimination against Jews at Temple Mount or anywhere in Israel," said Ben Gvir.

Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old Town is the holiest place in Jewish religion, as the location of two temples in the Bible. While Muslims, this is known as Haram al-Sharif or Your Holy Place, this place is home to Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam.

Under the decades-long "status quo" arrangement with Muslim authorities, Israel allowed Jews to visit but should not pray.

The site is at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and suggestions for Israel to change rules about religious obedience there have led to violence in the past.

Prior to today's incident, Ben Gvir had several times supported Jews praying in the area. He also visited him several times, although it has always drawn criticism from Palestine and a number of countries.

Meanwhile, PM Netanyahu also repeatedly emphasized that the status quo in the area remained unchanged.

Jordan has been the official guard of Muslim and Christian holy places in Jerusalem since 1924, and has openly been recognized as the guard of Jerusalem's holy sites.