Israel's Ben Gvir says Jewish prayer permitted at Al-Aqsa Mosque during large raid

Dozens of Israelis, led by ministers, prayed at Al-Aqsa Mosque during a large raid on Tuesday, violating decades-old arrangements that stipulate only Muslims can worship at the site in Jerusalem's Old City. 

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who was among the crowds, said: “Our policy is to allow Jewish prayer at the Temple Mount.”

Al-Aqsa Mosque is referred to as Temple Mount in Judaism and is considered holy to Jews.

For decades, a delicate status quo has governed worship and visits to the site, permitting only Muslims to pray in its courtyards and prayer halls.

Non-Muslims have been allowed to visit under the supervision of the Waqf, a joint Jordanian-Palestinian Islamic trust that manages the mosque's affairs.

Read more: Israel's Ben Gvir says Jewish prayer permitted at Al-Aqsa Mosque during large raid