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Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked outrage after saying that if he had a chance he would build a synagogue at the site of the al-Aqsa compound. The site is the third-holiest in Islam, and the holiest place for Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount. We look back at history read more
 "What’s al-Aqsa, Islam’s third holiest site, where Israeli minister wants to build a synagogue?")
Muslim worshippers gather at the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City. Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked a row saying if he had his way he would build a synagogue there. File image/Reuters
Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked outrage, saying he would build a Jewish synagogue at the al-Aqsa mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem if he could.
In an interview to Army Radio, the Israeli minister said on Monday (August 26) that if it were possible, he would build a synagogue at the al-Aqsa compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. “If I could do anything I wanted, I would put an Israeli flag on the site,” Ben-Gvir said in the interview. And when asked several times by a journalist if he would build a synagogue at the site if it were up to him, Ben-Gvir finally replied: “Yes.”
The comments have, unsurprisingly, sparked outrage and stoked controversy in the country. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in response to Gvir’s remarks, was quoted as telling Haaretz, “Undermining the status quo on the Temple Mount is an unnecessary and irresponsible act. Ben Gvir’s actions endanger Israel.”
As the controversy snowballs, here’s a closer look at what is the al-Aqsa mosque and why it’s been a point of contention between Israel and Palestine.
All about the al-Aqsa mosque
The al-Aqsa lies at the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City on a hill known to Jews as Har ha-Bayit, or Temple Mount, and to Muslims internationally as al-Haram al-Sharif, or The Noble Sanctuary.
Al-Aqsa is the name given to the whole compound and is home to two Muslim holy places: the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, also known as the Qibli Mosque, which was built in the 8th century AD.
Muslims regard the site as the third holiest in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. They believe the site is where Prophet Muhammad led his fellow prophets in prayer during a miraculous night journey, known as the Miraj.
On the other hand, Temple Mount, as the Jews call it, is the holiest place in Judaism. According to Jews, it where two ancient Jewish temples once stood – the temple built by King Solomon, which was destroyed by the Babylonians, and the second temple, destroyed by the Romans. However, Jewish law and the Israeli Rabbinate forbid Jews from entering the compound and praying there, as it is considered too holy to tread upon. The site is also home to the “Foundation Stone,” where Jews believe the creation of the world began and where God promises his full presence.
Also almost adjacent to the al-Aqsa, is the Western Wall, the holiest prayer site for Jews.
The control of al-Aqsa
In the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, Israel captured the site and annexed it with the rest of East Jerusalem and adjoining parts of the West Bank in a move not recognised internationally. Following this, it was decided between Jordan and Israel that the Waqf — the Islamic trust — would control matters inside the compound while the external security would be the responsibility of Israel.
Furthermore, non-Muslims would be allowed on to the site during visiting hours, but would not be allowed to pray there.
However, here lies the bone of contention. Israeli forces have stationed guards at the site and permitted Jews to enter the compound, upsetting Muslims. Moreover, through the Preservation of the Holy Places Law, Israel has also permitted entry to Christian pilgrims into the compound. And Israeli forces also regularly patrol and conduct searches within the premises.
Clashes at al-Aqsa
It’s because of this dual custody of the site that the place has become controversial and also seen clashes. In August 1969, an Australian Christian named Dennis Michael Rohan attempted to burn down al-Aqsa, destroying the historically significant and intricately carved minbar – or “pulpit” – of Saladin, a treasured piece of Islamic art.
In 1990, an Orthodox Jewish movement known by the name Temple Mount Faithful said it would lay a cornerstone for the Third Temple in place of the Dome of the Rock. This led to riots in which 20 Palestinians were killed by Israeli police. Years later, in 2000, Israeli politician Ariel Sharon entered the holy site accompanied by some 1,000 police personnel. Many Muslims worldwide considered this a “desecration” of the sacred mosque. It led to the Second Intifada, a Palestinian uprising, in which more than 3,000 Palestinians and some 1,000 Israelis were killed.
Tensions peaked again after an attack on Yehuda Glick, a controversial right-wing rabbi, in autumn 2014. In response, Israeli authorities closed down access to al-Aqsa for the first time since 1967. In March and April of that year, Israeli police used tear gas and stun grenades on Palestinians inside al-Aqsa, prompting an international outcry.
In May 2021, the site once again became the centre of clashes when the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, fired rockets into Israel, demanding that Israel withdraw security forces from the al-Aqsa compound. The Israeli police had the stormed the compound firing stun grenades and tear gas.
This was followed by April 2023 clashes. Fourteen Palestinians were injured after Israeli police officials attacked dozens of worshippers at the religious site’s compound. Israel had claimed that their actions came in response to ‘rioting’. They alleged that a number of Palestinian worshippers had barricaded themselves in the mosque after Ramzan prayers. Israeli police said in a statement that they were forced to enter the compound after “masked agitators” locked themselves inside the mosque with fireworks, sticks and stones.
Ben-Gvir and the al-Aqsa
Notably, this isn’t the first time that Ben-Gvir has made provocative statements regarding al-Aqsa. According to an Al Jazeera report, since taking office in December 2022, Ben-Gvir has visited the holy site at least six times, drawing severe condemnations.
In the recent interview, he said, “Arabs can pray wherever they want, so Jews should be able to pray wherever they want,” he said, claiming that the “current policy allows Jews to pray at this site”.
However, his remarks have drawn condemnation from Jordan. “Al-Aqsa and the holy sites are a pure place of worship for Muslims,” Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah said in a statement.
Even Israeli leaders have condemned Gvir’s remarks. Israel’s former war Cabinet minister, Benny Gantz, wrote on X that Ben-Gvir’s “irresponsible statements put to the test Israel’s strategic alliances with Muslim countries who make up a coalition fighting the Iranian axis of evil. His lack of wisdom could cost lives.”
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid also slammed Ben-Gvir, saying that that “Netanyahu lost control of his government”.
With inputs from agencies
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