Netanyahu says no change at Al Aqsa, contradicting Israeli minister

Prime Minister overrules claims by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir that Jewish prayers would be allowed at the site

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir pictured during a previous visit to Al Aqsa. EPA

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was no change in prayer arrangements at Al Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, after a far-right minister in his ruling coalition said Jewish prayers would be permitted at the site.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on Wednesday that he was working to change the status at Al Aqsa, which would break a long-standing agreement with Jordan and threaten further violence as the war in Gaza rages.

Mr Ben-Gvir said the religious complex was “undergoing change, we all understand what I am talking about”, Israel's Kan public broadcaster quoted him as saying in the Knesset on Wednesday.

He told politicians that he had prayed at the site last week and, because he represents “the political leadership”, Jewish prayers are permitted there.

He also claimed Jewish people were “being discriminated against” at Al Aqsa.

Several hours after his remarks, the office of Mr Netanyahu said the status-quo at the compound had “not changed and will not change”.

Mr Ben-Gvir was speaking during a parliamentary conference on Israel's “return” to the compound in Jerusalem, the third-holiest site in Islam after Makkah and Madinah, which houses the Dome of the Rock shrine and Al Aqsa Mosque.

Jews claim the site as sacred, too. While people of any religion are allowed to visit, Jewish prayer is forbidden in the compound under an agreement with Jordan, which oversees Jerusalem's Muslim and Christian holy sites.

“Jews will not be discriminated against … on my watch,” Mr Ben-Gvir said.

Israeli police, who fall under Mr Ben-Gvir's control, have increasingly allowed Jewish prayer and rituals at Al Aqsa since Mr Netanyahu returned to power with an ultra-right-wing coalition.

The head of Israel police's holy sites unit later contradicted Mr Ben-Gvir, saying Jewish prayer was not allowed at the site.

The Security Minister's latest statement also drew ire from some colleagues, including MP Ofer Cassif, from the Arab-majority Hadash-Ta'al party, who said the move was a “declaration of war on the Muslim world”.

Ultra-Orthodox figures also criticised Mr Ben-Gvir, saying prayer at the site was forbidden under Jewish law since the destruction of the ancient temples.

The Times of Israel quoted Moshe Gafni, chief of the Haredi Degel Hatorah party, as demanding that the Prime Minister should “not allow the status quo to change” at Al Aqsa, and any change should be “to close the site to Jews”.

Interior Minister Moshe Abrel described Mr Ben-Gvir's comments as “great blasphemy”.

Mr Ben-Gvir made similar comments last month, prompting the Prime Minister's office to quickly release a statement denying the status quo had changed.

“My policy is very clear on this matter: Jews can be anywhere in Jerusalem, pray anywhere,” Mr Ben-Gvir said.

Speaking after a controversial Flag Day march through the Old City, he told Israeli radio that prayers were being conducted “loudly” at Al Aqsa.

Jews prayed at the site, he said. “That’s the ministerial position … and that’s a good thing.”

Amman has repeatedly rebuked Mr Ben-Gvir for his controversial visits to the compound.

Last week, he visited the site and spoke out against an agreement that would secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages still held in the enclave.

He said he visited the compound to pray for the hostages “but without a reckless deal … without surrendering”.

His remarks come at a time when Mr Netanyahu, currently on a trip to Washington, is expected to decide against forming a “war-managing forum” with the controversial minister, who has been widely rebuked for his anti-Palestinian remarks and support for the death penalty against Palestinian detainees.

The Prime Minister, already facing growing protests at home and in the US, opted against the move “to avoid embarrassment in Washington”, an official said.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant took to X on Wednesday to oppose talks to include Mr Ben-Gvir in any war administration.

“Sitting in the government is a pyromaniac who wants to set fire to the Middle East,” he wrote.

“I oppose any negotiations to bring him into the war cabinet – this will allow him to realise his plans.”

Mr Ben-Gvir, who lives in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, has been vocal in his support for the devastating war on Gaza, which has killed more than 39,100 Palestinians since October.

He has also relaxed gun control laws, providing thousands of weapons to Israeli settlements and towns near Arab communities and defended settler attacks on Palestinians towns in the West Bank.