Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount on Thursday morning during Tisha B'Av, describing the presence of dozens of Jewish visitors as "tremendous progress."
"Look at what is happening here - Jews praying and feeling that they are the ones in charge here. This has never happened before. And the same is happening in more and more places. We have reduced terrorist attacks by 85%. Everywhere, people understand that the State of Israel is in charge. There is still more to do, and, God willing, we will continue to make progress," Ben-Gvir said in remarks posted on social media.
Tisha B'Av marks the Jewish annual day of mourning for the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E. And the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 C.E., along with other historical tragedies.
Video footage shared online by the Israeli NGO "Beyadenu - Returning to the Temple Mount" Showed dozens of Jews praying in the Temple Mount plaza on Thursday morning. Israel Police confirmed to public broadcaster Kan that the prayer service took place within the authorized visiting route and that officers present instructed worshippers to continue and move forward.
The Temple Mount's long-standing status quo, established by then-Defense Minister Moshe Dayan following the site's capture in the 1967 Six-Day War, has generally prohibited Jews from bringing religious items such as prayer books and tefillin to the location. Under the arrangement, the Jordanian Waqf Islamic trust controls activities on the Mount while Israel manages security and public order, with Muslims granted free access and Jews permitted to visit but not pray.
Earlier this year, Israel Police authorized Jewish visitors to carry prayer leaflets, though their use remains restricted to "specific areas defined by the police" To maintain "the existing order" On the Mount.