Israel's new national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir briefly visited Al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, a site also revered by Jews, prompting fierce condemnation from Palestinians and several Arab countries.
In a tweet, Itamar Ben-Gvir used the Jewish name for the site, proclaiming 'the Temple Mount is open for all'.Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were among nations to condemn a visit Tuesday by Israel's extreme-right new national security minister to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound.
Mr Ben-Gvir's visit comes days after he took office as national security minister, with powers over the police, giving his decision to enter the highly sensitive site considerable weight. In recent years, a growing number of Jews, most of them Israeli nationalists, have covertly prayed at the compound, a development decried by Palestinians.
The rise of Ben-Gvir in Netanyahu's government has deepened Palestinian anger about their long-failed efforts to secure a state.Germany's ambassador to Israel said the status quo "has long helped maintain the fragile peace and security around the holy sites" and urged all sides to avoid actions that could raise tension.
Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest sites in Islam, condemned the "provocative practices" of Mr Ben-Gvir.
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