Ben Gvir, fellow far-right minister visit Temple Mount; Jews filmed praying in their presence

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and fellow Otzma Yehudit minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf enter the Temple Mount together with hundreds of Jews marking the fast day of Tisha B’Av, which marks the destruction of the Jewish Temples that once stood there.

השר בן גביר עלה להר הבית | הידיעה המלאה >>> https://t.co/3CPOyXJ0UN@VeredPelman pic.twitter.com/90Xs2aUfU8

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) August 13, 2024

Dozens of the pilgrims accompanying the far-right ministers lie on the ground in prayer, violating police instructions and the vague status quo governing the site. Ben Gvir, who is in charge of police, has repeatedly said that in his view, Jews are permitted to pray there. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected these statements.

בנוכחות בן גביר: עשרות מתפללים השתחוו בהר הבית @hanan_green pic.twitter.com/yksOZE911P

— ישראל היום (@IsraelHayomHeb) August 13, 2024

Additionally, Likud MK Amit Halevi arrived at the Temple Mount, though in his case, police only allowed him to enter alone, without a group of more Jews.