Far-right Israeli minister says he would build synagogue at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque

NEWS WIRES

26 August 2024 at 9:27 am·1-min read

Israel's far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Monday that he would build a synagogue at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, a holy site in Islam also held sacred by Jews as the Temple Mount. Ben Gvir, who has repeatedly ignored the government's long-standing ban on Jews praying at the site, filmed a video statement during a recent visit to the compound in which he reiterated his opposition to any ceasefire in the Gaza war.

A far-right Israeli minister sparked fresh outrage on Monday by saying he would build a synagogue at Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound if he could, once again challenging government policy.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who has repeatedly ignored the government's long-standing ban on Jews praying at the site, told Army Radio that if it were possible he would build a synagogue at the Al-Aqsa compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.

The Al-Aqsa compound is Islam's third holiest site and a symbol of Palestinian national identity, but it is also Judaism's holiest place, revered as the site of the second temple destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.

(AFP)

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