JERUSALEM, KOMPAS.com - Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Sunday (3/8/2025) and claimed to have performed worship at the holy site.

Ben-Gvir's actions have again sparked controversy because they challenge the"status quo" that has been in place for decades.

Under an agreement reached with Muslim authorities, the Al-Aqsa compound is managed by a Jordanian religious foundation, and while Jews are allowed to visit, they are not permitted to pray at the site.

However, Ben-Gvir, who belongs to the extreme right wing, said he led prayers there.

“I pray for the victory of the state of Israel over Hamas and for the hostages to return to their homes soon,” he said in an official statement.

He also reiterated his call for Israel to take complete control of the Gaza area.

Ben-Gvir's visit coincided with the anniversary of Tisha B'Av, a Jewish fasting day commemorating the destruction of two of their holy temples that once stood at the site.

A video released by a small Jewish organization called the Temple Mount Administration shows Ben-Gvir leading a group of people walking around the compound.

Another video circulating on social media shows a person believed to be Ben-Gvir performing Jewish prayers. However, Reuters has not been able to verify the video's authenticity.

The Waqf Foundation that manages the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound said Ben-Gvir was among 1,250 people who visited the site that day.

Waqf also reported that visitors, including Ben-Gvir, performed prayers, chanted slogans, and danced in the area.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that Israel's policy regarding the status quo at Al Aqsa Mosque has not changed.

"The Israeli government's policy of maintaining the status quo at the Temple Mount (the Jewish name for the Al-Aqsa compound) remains in effect and will not change," Netanyahu said in a statement.

On the other hand, Ben-Gvir's move received strong criticism from the Palestinian side.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, called the visit"crossing all safe limits."

"The international community, especially the United States, must act immediately to stop the settlers' crimes and the provocations of the far-right Israeli government at Al-Aqsa Mosque, stop the war on Gaza, and send humanitarian aid," Abu Rudeineh said in a written statement.

Although Ben-Gvir's visit was feared to inflame tensions, there were no reports of any violent incidents related to the incident as of Sunday evening.