Palestinians have condemned a visit by Israel’s newly installed National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. It was Ben-Gvir’s first public act since he was sworn in last week to the most far-right government in Israel’s history. Ben-Gvir was previously convicted of racist incitement against Arabs and supporting a terrorist group. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called his visit to Al-Aqsa under heavy security an “unprecedented provocation,” and a spokesperson for Hamas said it would lead to more conflict.

Hazem Qassem: “It is clear that the members of the current government are more extreme than any previous one. Neither the U.S. nor the international community nor the regional powers can stop the extremists of this government. Therefore, if this behavior continues, it will bring us all to a big conflict and a real battle on the ground.”