Ben-Gvir Stains Al-Aqsa Once Again

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Thursday evening under heavy escort by Israeli security forces. The WAFA news agency reported that Ben-Gvir raised an Israeli flag inside the Al-Aqsa compound and performed provocative actions and dances upon entering the area. The incident coincided with increased settler incursions into the mosque complex during what they call “Jerusalem Day”. At the same time, Israeli forces closed the Bab al-Sahira area in occupied East Jerusalem with a massive police deployment ahead of the Israeli flag march in the Old City. Settlers were also seen performing dances and provocative actions in settlement neighbourhoods and markets before the march began. Thousands of Israeli settlers joined the “Flag March” or provocative flag parade on Thursday night. The crowd stormed the Damascus Gate area, one of the main entrances to Jerusalem’s Old City, under tight police protection. The march was attended by several ministers and Knesset members from Israel’s ruling coalition, including Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Several police officials, military personnel, and far-right Israeli politicians were also present. Participants waved Israeli flags and carried racist banners calling for the death of Arabs and threats to build a Jewish “temple” on the Al-Aqsa Mosque site. According to eyewitnesses, settlers attacked several Palestinians and journalists at the scene by spitting, hurling verbal abuse, and dancing while waving Israeli flags. Israeli forces also positioned snipers on walls around the Damascus Gate and deployed heavily on Jerusalem streets and Old City alleys. Residents described the area as turning into a military zone under the pretext of securing the march. Israeli police restricted Palestinian movement in the Old City and forced shop owners to close their businesses to make way for march participants.