Israeli far-right minister risks regional flareup with Temple Mount visit

Ben Caspit

Jan 3, 2023

People walk toward the Dome of the Rock shrine at al-Aqsa Mosque compound (also known as the Temple Mount complex to Jews) in the old city of Jerusalem on Jan. 3, 2023. — AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

TEL AVIV — National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount compound Tuesday in an act that was perceived by Palestinians, Jordan, the Emirates, Egypt and other Arab and Western countries as intentionally provocative.

Ben-Gvir had visited the sites many times in the past, including as a member of the Knesset opposition last March. His highly publicized plans to visit the site, holy to both Muslims and Jews, had prompted warnings of retaliation by Hamas for his “desecration” of the Al-Aqsa Mosque area. Nonetheless, he went ahead with his plans and live-blogged the event.