(The original Turkish version of this article was published by the Platform: Current Muslim Affairs on September 10, 2025)
Itamar Ben-Gvir’s raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque are part of Religious Zionism’s growing efforts in Israel to alter the mosque’s status quo. These raids represent strategic steps toward the temporal and spatial division of Al-Aqsa and the acceleration of plans for the construction of the Temple, posing a threat to regional peace.
One of the leading figures of Religious Zionism, the Radical Zionist Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, assumed office in November 2022 after a prolonged election period, joining what is considered the most radical, religious, and Zionist government in Israel’s history. His very first act as minister was to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque. Between January 2023 and August 2025, he took part in a total of 11 raids, both on Jewish holy days and as part of routine incursions. The question then arises: What do Ben-Gvir’s repeated raids on Al-Aqsa signal?
Who is Itamar Ben-Gvir?
Born in 1976 in Mevaseret Zion, a territory internationally recognized as part of Israel, Itamar Ben-Gvir was a member of the far-right Kach movement, the only Israeli group designated and banned as a terrorist organization both in Israel and the United States. From an early age, Ben-Gvir faced numerous charges for offenses such as racist incitement and supporting a terrorist organization, leading to multiple arrests. He first gained public notoriety in his youth when he tore an ornament off Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s car, declaring to the media: “Just as we got close to his car, we’ll get close to him.” (Orly Halpern, 2022). Not long after this incident, Rabin was assassinated by another Religious Zionist.
During his university years, Ben-Gvir studied law and later gained prominence in Israel as a lawyer for far-right groups and settlers. As one of the leading figures of the settler movement, he entered politics in 2019 as the leader of the Kahanist-origin far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) Party. Ben-Gvir was first elected to the Knesset in the 2021 elections. During his tenure as a parliamentarian, he engaged in provocative actions against Palestinians. In 2021, he announced that his party would establish an office in front of the homes of Jerusalemites resisting eviction in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, setting up a tent and actively participating in these actions. In November 2022, he assumed the role of Minister of National Security in the newly formed government. Since taking office, Ben-Gvir has intensified pressure on Jerusalemites, and except for a nearly two-month resignation in January 2025, he continues to hold this position. Currently residing in Kiryat Arba, one of the illegal settlements in the West Bank, Itamar Ben-Gvir has become known for his periodic raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque since assuming office.
Ben-Gvir’s Raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque
Itamar Ben-Gvir conducted his first raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque just a few days after assuming office on December 29, 2022. On January 2, 2023, he announced that he would raid the mosque within a few days, and the following day, under heavy security measures, he carried out a symbolic raid lasting only thirteen minutes. Following this raid, he declared that he had no reservations and would continue his raids. Subsequently, these raids continued without prior notice, occurring on May 21, 2023; July 27, 2023, on the anniversary of the Temple’s destruction; May 22, 2024, during the second Passover celebrations; July 18, 2024; August 13, 2024, again on the anniversary of the Temple’s destruction; and December 26, 2024, during Hanukkah. In 2025, raids took place on April 2, May 26, the day Jerusalem was occupied, June 11, and finally on August 3, the anniversary of the Temple’s destruction. In total, Ben-Gvir conducted eleven raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Some of these raids coincided with days of religious significance for Jews, while others took place on ordinary days. During the raids, Ben-Gvir made both political and religious statements, declaring: “The Temple Mount (the name used by Jews for Al-Aqsa) is ours; we are the hosts here,” “This is a Jewish holy site,” “We will show that we are not afraid of the enemy,” “We must completely take over Gaza,” and “This is the most important place to demonstrate our sovereignty.” Furthermore, despite violating the status quo, Ben-Gvir repeatedly participated in collective prayers inside Al-Aqsa accompanied by rabbis.
Where Are Ben-Gvir’s Raids Headed?
The radical minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for his allegiance to Religious Zionism, has openly stated that he intends to continue his raids on Al-Aqsa in the coming days. These raids should be understood within the broader context of attacks on Al-Aqsa carried out by the Israeli occupation government, as they are conducted in his capacity as minister without any political repercussions. Experts on the matter argue that these raids are not isolated incidents but rather an extension of a systematic strategy pursued by the Israeli government—particularly under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—in coordination with Temple Groups (Bakir, 2025). The main objectives of this strategy include promoting the temporal and spatial division of Al-Aqsa, undermining Jordan’s custodial role over the holy sites in Jerusalem, and ultimately establishing a new status quo that could destabilize the city’s delicate balance and trigger regional instability. Ben-Gvir’s participation in religious rituals during the Al-Aqsa raids demonstrates the de facto erosion of the status quo, and his statements confirm this. For instance, during the “Israel’s Return to the Temple Mount” session held in the Knesset on July 24, 2024, he declared that “at the political level, Jews are allowed to worship on the Temple Mount” (Ibhais, 2024). About a month later, in an interview with Army Radio, he further stated that “building a synagogue on Al-Aqsa is possible” (Kudüs’te Bugün, 2024).
The occupation process at Al-Aqsa is systematically advancing as part of a plan for temporal and spatial division, similar to the approach implemented at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. This project, which has been methodically pursued at the Ibrahimi Mosque, is now being attempted at Al-Aqsa while attention is diverted to Gaza under the shadow of ongoing conflict. If steps continue to establish full sovereignty over Al-Aqsa and to terminate the role of the Islamic Waqf Administration, the previously vocalized proposals for the spatial division of Al-Aqsa are likely to resurface. Subsequently, the process of demolishing Al-Aqsa and accelerating the physical construction of the Temple is highly probable.
The Religious Zionist faction, which includes Itamar Ben-Gvir, views Zionism and its projects as both a religious and national movement. Religious Zionism, which denies the right to exist to any identity other than the “chosen people” in these lands, is currently the most powerful faction in Israel. Under the shadow of a war that has persisted for nearly two years, Al-Aqsa has become a political symbol. Aksa’s demolition and the construction of the Temple in its place constitute the top agenda item for this politically dominant faction. As observed during the most recent raid on August 3, 2025, Ben-Gvir is no longer the sole political figure or minister participating in raids on Al-Aqsa. Numerous members of the Knesset participate in these raids both politically and religiously, forming part of a broader project to strengthen Israeli control over Al-Aqsa. This effort is further supported by Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who continues to act as a guardian over Religious Zionism’s changing role at Al-Aqsa, claiming that “Israel still maintains the status quo of Al-Aqsa” (Maruf, 2025). Thus, it is evident that politicians are acting in a coordinated manner on this issue. Moreover, examining the positions and policies of Ben-Gvir and other politicians involved in the raids shows that these actions are closely linked to Israel’s broader Judaization projects in the region. For example, after assuming office, Ben-Gvir gained attention for decisions such as banning the Palestinian flag in Jerusalem, reducing the food and family visitation rights of prisoners in Israeli jails, and prohibiting the call to prayer (adhan) in certain areas of Jerusalem.
In conclusion, since Itamar Ben-Gvir’s first raid as minister in 2023, the influence of Religious Zionism and the Temple Groups in Israel has increased rapidly. Religious Zionism is now more assertively promoting its project to transform Al-Aqsa Mosque—perceived as the missing link in its political presence—into the Temple, emphasizing “full control” over Al-Aqsa in the aftermath of the “Al-Aqsa Storm.” Politicians seeking both political and religious gains are actively participating in altering the mosque’s status quo. Today, the Religious Zionist faction is simultaneously seeking to escalate its campaign of oppression in Gaza, expand territorial control in the West Bank through settlement activities, and Judaize Jerusalem. Exploiting this disorder and lack of resistance, they aim to change the status quo at Al-Aqsa and physically construct the Temple. If measures are not taken to halt Itamar Ben-Gvir and members of the Religious Zionist faction he represents, achieving peace in the region will be impossible. In such a scenario, Al-Aqsa Mosque is likely to undergo processes similar to those experienced by the Ibrahimi Mosque, making the gradual loss of Al-Aqsa inevitable.
References
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