Far-right Israeli Minister Provokes Outrage with Al-Aqsa Visit on Jerusalem Day

Jerusalem Day saw heightened tensions as Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under heavy military guard. The provocative visit, which took place amid the annual march celebrating Israel's capture of East Jerusalem in 1967, drew widespread condemnation from Palestinian leaders and neighboring countries. Ben Gvir, a far-right politician known for his hardline stance, has previously made similar visits to the site, which is considered one of Islam's holiest and Judaism's most sacred, often exacerbating existing tensions. The compound remains a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.