Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir led thousands of Jewish visitors into Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Wednesday, coinciding with the Jewish fast day of Tisha B'Av. Visitors prayed, waved Israeli flags and sang the national anthem at the site, breaching long-standing arrangements that permit only Muslim prayer at the compound.
In a video posted online, Ben-Gvir said Jews were "feeling like they're the owners of the place" and praised what he called "huge progress on the Temple Mount". The Islamic Waqf Department said 3,228 Israelis entered the compound during the morning period, while Israeli police increased group sizes to around 150 people and restricted Palestinian access. Overnight, thousands marched and some attacked Palestinians and vandalized a Muslim cemetery; police arrested 16 suspects.
Temple Mount activist groups had aimed to bring 5,000 Israelis into the compound, up from 4,000 last year. Jordan condemned the visit as "a desecration of the sanctity of the mosque and an unacceptable provocation", while the Palestinian religious affairs ministry warned the practices seek to ignite a religious war.