Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir Visits Western Wall Plaza

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem on Sunday, the second day of the Jewish Sukkot holiday. He received a ceremonial welcome at the site, which is adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Concurrently, settlers performed Talmudic rituals and prayers, including dancing, in the courtyards and corridors of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Large groups gathered at the Qattanin Gate, one of the mosque's entrances, wearing prayer shawls known as "tallit" and carrying the "four species" of plants used in Sukkot rituals. The settlers conducted group tours between the mosque's gates, interspersed with religious rites and prayers. The area around the mosque's gates and its courtyards has seen a continuous increase in Talmudic rituals during Jewish holidays, with a frequent focus on the Qattanin Gate area.

In contrast, Israeli police forces intensified restrictions on Muslim worshippers entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the afternoon prayer. They prevented worshippers, including the elderly, from entering or praying near the Lions' Gate, instructing them to return after 3:30 PM. These measures occurred as part of the Sukkot holiday activities, which included prayers and religious rituals for settlers, alongside the tightened entry restrictions for Muslim worshippers.