Israeli minister leading prayer in controversial holy land has a record of provocative action

Tel Aviv, Israel (AP) – Israel’s far-right national security minister prayed on Sunday at Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site, suffering international condemnation and heightened tensions as Israel’s strong criticism of the Gaza war.

During the Gaza War, Itamar Ben-Gvir frequently visited the competitive Jerusalem summit compound.

The Jews worshipped the site, when the Bible temple once stood. This is the most sacred site in Judaism. Today, it is home to the Al Aqsa Mosque, the third attraction in Islam. Tensions in the compound have often spread to violence over the years.

This is the latest revolt from the 49-year-old leader of the super-large settler who has transformed himself from an illegal and provocative to one of Israel’s most influential politicians over decades.

Here is Ben-Gvir’s careful study:

Why is this visit considered provocative?

Since Israel occupied the site in 1967, Jews have been allowed to visit but not pray. Palestinians considered the mosque a national symbol and believed that the visit of Jewish leaders was provocative and a potential pioneer of Israel, thus occupying control of the compound. Most rabbi banned Jews from praying on the spot, but in recent years, Jews have supported worship more and more Jews. Benjiville has long called on the larger Jews to enter the Holy Land.

Ben-Gvir is visiting to commemorate the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’av, a day of mourning and repentance, and the Jews reflect on the destruction of the First and Second Temples, a key event in Jewish history.

Access like Ben-Gvir is legal. Israeli media said the visit was the first time a current minister has actively prayed. Ben Giver also called on Israel to conquer and declare sovereignty in all Gaza Strip and encourage “voluntary” immigration from Gaza to end the war and bring the hostages back. Palestinians say immigration plans are a disguise of forced deportation.

In response to Ben-Gvir’s visit, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the status quo of the location has not changed, nor will it change to allow Jewish prayers.

Run with the law

Ben Giver was convicted eight times for crimes including racism and support for terrorist organizations. The army banned him from compulsory military service as a teenager, believing his views were too extreme.

Ben-Gvir was notorious in his youth as a follower of the late radical Rabbi Meir Kahane. He became the nation first when he broke away from the car of then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995.

He said: “We got into his car and we were going to find him too.

Two years later, Ben-Gvir was responsible for planning a protest, including a death threat, forcing Irish singer Sinead O’Connor to cancel the concert in Jerusalem.

Move to the mainstream

Bengeville’s political rise is a multi-year effort by media lawmakers to gain legitimacy. But it also reflects the right turn of Israeli voters, which brought his religion, super-large ideology to the mainstream and reduced hope for Palestinian independence.

Ben-Gvir was trained as a lawyer and was recognized by a successful defense lawyer for extreme Jews accused of violence against Palestinians.

The outspoken Ben-Gvir’s quick and pleasant manner also became a popular device in the media, paving the way to enter politics. He was first elected to parliament in 2021.

Ben-Gvir calls for his political opponent to be expelled. In an episode of 2022, he waved his pistol and encouraged police to open fire at Palestinian stone throwers in a nervous Jerusalem community. Ben-Gvir oversees the country’s police force in his cabinet post. He used his influence to encourage Netanyahu to urge the war in Gaza and recently boasted that he had blocked past ceasefire efforts.

As the national security minister, he encouraged police to take a tough attitude towards anti-government protesters.

Controversial Minister

Ben-Gvir secured cabinet posts after the 2022 elections, which put Netanyahu and his far-right partners, including Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power Party, in power.

“I have been on the mission of saving Israel for the past year,” Ben-Gvir told reporters before the election. “Millions of citizens are waiting for a real right-wing government. Now is the time to give them one.”

Ben-Gvir has been controversial throughout his term – encouraging the mass distribution of pistols to Jewish citizens, supporting the attempts of Netanyahu to argue, attempting to overhaul the country’s legal system and often slamming the U.S. leaders for an understatement of Israel.

Resign and return to Netanyahu’s cabinet

Ben-Gvir temporarily resigned from Netanyahu’s cabinet earlier this year, expressing opposition to the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

The ceasefire will operate from January 19 to March 1. Hamas released 25 species of Israeli hostages and bodies of eight people in exchange for nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners, including senior militants who were sentenced to life in prison for the deadly attack. Israeli forces pulled a buffer back to the buffer, thousands of Palestinians returned to their remaining homes, and a surge in humanitarian aid.

Ben-Gvir’s resignation did not stop the ceasefire, but it did weaken Netanyahu’s management alliance. Ben-Gvir rejoined the cabinet when Israel ended its ceasefire and returned to live fighting in Gaza in March 2025.

Last week, the Netherlands banned Ben-Gvir and far-right finance minister Betzales Smotrich from entering the country. Last month, the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway imposed financial sanctions on two men.