3 Israel MKs storm Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

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At least two Israeli ministers today joined hundreds of Israeli illegal settlers in storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem.

According to the Israeli Ynet news website, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, his fellow Otzma Yehudit Party minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf and Knesset member of the Likud party Amit Halevi stormed the complex to commemorate Tisha B’Av, an annual Jewish day of fasting that marks the occurrence of several disasters in Jewish history.

“Our policy is to allow [Jewish] prayer,” Ynet cited Ben-Gvir as saying during his raid at the mosque.

Hard-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir performs a provocative song along with other fanatics as they tour the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/rfAvwZ5rEr

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) August 13, 2024

Following his comment, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement saying that Ben-Gvir’s statement is in violation of the status quo there.

“The setting of policy at the Temple Mount [in reference to Al-Aqsa Mosque complex] is directly subject to the government and the prime minister,” the statement read.

Approximately 2,250 Israeli settlers stormed the complex and conducted Talmudic religious rituals, according to the Jordan-run Islamic Endowments Department.

Since he became national security minister in 2022, Ben-Gvir has stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound at least six times.

Israeli forces closed roads leading to Jerusalem’s Old City, deployed hundreds of soldiers, and effectively turned the area into a “military barracks” while imposing strict restrictions on Palestinians attempting to enter the mosque, according to local news sites.

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