Versions :<1234567891011121314Live>
Snapshot 13:Mon, Aug 4, 2025 8:44:14 PM GMT last edited by Anna-Lisa

Israeli Minister Prays at Al-Aqsa in Violation of Status Quo

Israeli Minister Prays at Al-Aqsa in Violation of Status Quo

Above: Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (C) in East Jerusalem on Aug. 3, 2025. Image copyright: Gazi Samad/Anadolu/Getty Images

The Spin

Ben-Gvir's prayer at Al-Aqsa unnecessarily adds fuel to an already out-of-control fire. This convicted extremist seeks to transform Judaism's holiest mourning day into a calculated provocation, inflaming a region that is already bleeding. Ben-Gvir's reckless ambition prioritizes political theater over human lives, making peace even less likely.

The so-called "status quo" became a hollow myth after Palestinians built four additional mosques while systematically erasing Jewish history. For fifty-seven years, Jews have been denied their fundamental right to pray at Judaism's holiest site. Ben-Gvir simply acknowledged reality: religious freedom belongs to everyone, including Jews mourning their destroyed Temples on their most sacred ground.

Though the Israeli and Western media try to portray settlers like Ben-Gvir as a fringe element of Israeli society, the state was founded on the basis of ethnic cleansing and land theft. Israeli leaders on the left and right have continued to approve settlement expansion, and Palestinian land has continued to recede since 1948. Indeed, Israel annexed the West Bank in all but name a long time ago, and Israeli politicians are increasingly open about Israel's intentions — the incremental destruction of Palestine.

ThereBen-Gvir's isprayer aat 10%Al-Aqsa chanceunnecessarily theadds Gazafuel warto willan endalready andout-of-control significantfire. progressThis beconvicted madeextremist towardsseeks to transform Judaism's holiest mourning day into a two-statecalculated solutionprovocation, toinflaming thea Israel-Palestineregion conflictthat beforeis Janalready bleeding. 1,Ben-Gvir's 2030reckless ambition prioritizes political theater over human lives, accordingmaking topeace theeven Metaculusless prediction communitylikely.

The so-called "status quo" became a hollow myth after Palestinians built four additional mosques while systematically erasing Jewish history. For fifty-seven years, Jews have been denied their fundamental right to pray at Judaism's holiest site. Ben-Gvir simply acknowledged reality: religious freedom belongs to everyone, including Jews mourning their destroyed Temples on their most sacred ground.

Though the Israeli and Western media try to portray settlers like Ben-Gvir as a fringe element of Israeli society, the state was founded on the basis of ethnic cleansing and land theft. Israeli leaders on the left and right have continued to approve settlement expansion, and Palestinian land has continued to recede since 1948. Indeed, Israel annexed the West Bank in all but name a long time ago, and Israeli politicians are increasingly open about Israel's intentions — the incremental destruction of Palestine.

Metaculus Prediction

There is a 10% chance the Gaza war will end and significant progress will be made towards a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict before Jan. 1, 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


The Controversies



Go Deeper


Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up!
Sign Up Now!