The Palestinian leaders and factions condemned on Tuesday the visit of Israel’s extreme-right firebrand Itamar Ben-Gvir to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh cast the visit as a bid to turn a major mosque there "into a Jewish temple".
Addressing his cabinet, Shtayyeh also called on Palestinians to "confront the raids into Al Aqsa mosque" after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir toured the periphery of the mosque compound. Ben-Gvir did not approach the mosque.
Palestinian president spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaina said in a statement that the visit constitutes a “challenge” to the Palestinian people, and to the Arab and International communities, Palestinian news agency Wafa said.
He rejected Israel’s continued “provocations” against Islamic and Christian religious sites, denouncing Israel's attempts to change the historic and legal face of al-Aqsa which he said “will turn to no avail.”
The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned Ben-Gvir's visit as an "unprecedented provocation and a serious threat to the arena of conflict".
Moreover, Jordan condemned in "severest" terms the visit by Ben-Gvir.
Ben-Gvir visited Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound Tuesday for the first time since becoming a minister, enraging Palestinians who see the move as a provocation.
Ben-Gvir's visit comes days after he took office as national security minister, a position which gives him powers over the police.
Ben-Gvir has lobbied to overhaul management of the site to allow Jewish prayer there, a move opposed by mainstream rabbinical authorities.
Waqf guards told AFP that Ben-Gvir was accompanied by units of the Israeli security forces, while a drone hovered above the holy site.
After he left the site on Tuesday morning, visitors arrived at the plaza and the situation remained quiet.
