Israeli Minister Enters Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Compound, Drawing Outcry

On July 23, 2026, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound with police and ruling-party lawmakers. Over 2,300 Jewish settlers joined, praying at a site where Jewish prayer is normally banned to keep peace. Ben-Gvir told Haaretz Jews "feel like the owners." Palestinian leaders called it a dangerous, government-backed provocation.