BRUSSELS, Belgium: The European Union has sharply criticized Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for his recent actions at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in annexed East Jerusalem.
The condemnation follows reports that Ben Gvir, along with approximately 2,250 Israelis, visited the compound on Tuesday morning, engaging in Jewish prayers and singing hymns under heavy police protection.
This visit, according to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, involved deliberate provocations and a challenge to the status quo governing the site.
The Al-Aqsa compound is a highly sensitive area, revered in Islam as the third holiest site and significant in Judaism as the location of the ancient Temple Mount. While non-Muslims are permitted to visit the compound during certain hours, they are not allowed to pray or display religious symbols. Ben Gvir’s actions have been interpreted as a direct challenge to these regulations and have heightened tensions in the region.
This incident comes at a critical time when international powers, including the EU and the US, are working to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. The US has also criticized Ben Gvir’s actions, arguing that they undermine ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel emphasized that any unilateral actions that disrupt the historic status quo of Jerusalem’s holy sites are unacceptable and detrimental to peace negotiations.
The EU’s response reflects broader concerns about the potential for increased regional instability, particularly given Iran’s recent threats of retaliation against Israel following the killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran. The international community remains focused on navigating these complex dynamics as they push for a resolution to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
