Ben-Gvir Temple Mount Visit Sparks Global Backlash

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, ignited international outrage on Sunday after leading prayers at Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. His actions, seen by many as provocative, escalated tensions as Israel faces mounting criticism over its ongoing war in Gaza.

The Temple Mount, known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif, holds deep religious significance. It is revered in Judaism as the site of the ancient Temples and in Islam as the location of the Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in the religion. Since 1967, Jews have been permitted to visit the site but are barred from praying there.

Why Ben-Gvir’s Actions Sparked Outrage

Ben-Gvir’s visit coincided with the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av, a day of mourning commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples. While his presence was legal, Israeli media reported that he actively and vocally led prayers—an unprecedented move for a sitting minister. This broke a long-standing religious and political status quo and fueled Palestinian fears of Israeli intentions to assert control over the site.

Palestinians regard such visits as deeply provocative. They view the Al Aqsa compound as a symbol of national identity. Ben-Gvir’s support for expanded Jewish access to the site has long been controversial. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by reaffirming that the prayer ban remains unchanged.

A History of Provocation

Ben-Gvir, 49, is no stranger to controversy. He has been convicted eight times for charges including incitement and support for terrorism. As a teenager, the Israeli army rejected him for mandatory service due to his extremist views.

A follower of radical Rabbi Meir Kahane, Ben-Gvir became a national figure in 1995 after vandalizing the car of then–Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Just weeks later, Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish extremist.

In 1997, Ben-Gvir also led protests and threats that pressured Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor to cancel a peace concert in Jerusalem.

From Extremist to Power Broker

Despite—or perhaps because of—his radical past, Ben-Gvir rose through the political ranks. A trained lawyer, he defended Jewish extremists in court, earning a reputation as a fierce advocate for hardline settlers.

By 2021, he secured a seat in the Israeli parliament. His populist, media-savvy style made him a fixture on talk shows and news programs. After the 2022 elections, his Jewish Power party entered a governing coalition with Netanyahu, securing Ben-Gvir the role of national security minister.

In this role, he has pushed for looser gun regulations, backed legal system overhauls, and openly criticized Western leaders. He also pressured Netanyahu to continue military operations in Gaza and recently took credit for obstructing past ceasefire efforts.

Resignation Over Gaza Ceasefire—and Return

Earlier this year, Ben-Gvir briefly resigned from the cabinet to protest a ceasefire agreement. During the truce, Israel released nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 25 Israeli hostages and the remains of eight others. Although the ceasefire proceeded without him, his departure destabilized Netanyahu’s coalition.

Ben-Gvir returned to office after Israel resumed combat in March 2025. Since then, his presence in the government has continued to polarize.

Global Consequences

Last week, the Netherlands banned Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country. The UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway also placed financial sanctions on both men.

Ben-Gvir’s Temple Mount visit adds to the mounting diplomatic strain and raises new concerns about the direction of Israeli policy amid a war that has already cost thousands of lives.

Source: AP News