Far-right Israeli minister defies Netanyahu in Al-Aqsa video

Jerusalem, Occupied Palestinian Territories– AFP

A far-right Israeli minister with the power to bring down the government has released a video from the Al-Aqsa mosque compound to warn Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the war on Gaza.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, known for his provocative gestures and comments, said Netanyahu must not make a “surrender” accord with Hamas to bring back prisoners. “I have come to the most important place for Jewish people to pray for the hostages, that they come home, but not through an accord of surrender, without giving in,” Ben Gvir said in the video quickly condemned by Palestinian politicians and Jordan.

“I pray and I make efforts so that the prime minister has the energy to not give in, and that he goes all the way by reinforcing military pressure, stopping their fuel, so that we win,” said the head of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party.

Shooting the video on the compound was already certain to spark controversy.

Jordan’s foreign ministry condemned Ben Gvir’s “provocative step” that “reflects the continuation of the extremist Israeli government with its unilateral measures and systematic flouting of laws”.

Situated in the Old City of occupied and annexed east Jerusalem, the Al-Aqsa mosque compound is Islam’s third most holy site. Jews call it Temple Mount and consider it their most sacred site. Rabbinical law bans Jews from accessing the compound.

Since Netanyahu formed his coalition with far-right support in December 2022, Ben Gvir has repeatedly gone to the compound for visits that have been condemned by Palestinians and foreign governments as increasing tensions.

Israel has killed at least 38,794 people, mostly women and children, according to figures from the Gaza health ministry.