Itamar Ben-Gvir Enters Al-Aqsa Mosque Before Knesset Elections
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under heavy police protection one day before Israeli general elections.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem on Monday under heavy police protection. Accompanied by Knesset member Moshe Feiglin, Ben-Gvir was photographed praying at the Al-Buraq Wall, also known as the Western Wall.
The visit occurred one day before the Israeli Knesset general elections, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political bloc competes against an opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot. Ben-Gvir has repeatedly visited the site to advocate for the expansion of Jewish prayer, a move that critics say threatens the historical and legal status quo of the compound.
Palestinian parties accused Ben-Gvir of using actions against Palestinian religious sites and property to advance his election campaign and intimidate Arab voters.
