Itamar Ben-Gvir

Turkiye strongly condemns Israeli raid led by minister on Al Aqsa Mosque

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

Groups of fanatic Jews raid the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem during events marking what they regard as the anniversary of the destruction of the Jewish temples, on July 23, 2026 in Jerusalem. [Gazi Samad – Anadolu Agency]

Turkiye on Thursday condemned “in strongest terms” a raid carried out by Israeli minister, accompanied by an extremist group, under the protection of Israeli security forces, on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Anadolu reports.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by an Israeli minister, accompanied by a group of extremists and under the protection of Israeli security forces,” said the Foreign Ministry in a statement.

The statement reaffirmed that the global community has a shared responsibility to prevent the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “provocative acts and attempts to create fait accompli that violate the historical and legal status of the holy sites in Jerusalem, particularly Al-Aqsa Mosque, a place of worship exclusively for Muslims.”

More than 3,200 Israeli occupiers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday morning as they marked the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av, commemorating what they call the “destruction of the Temple.”

The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem said in a statement that 3,228 occupiers entered the compound during the morning period.

More occupiers were expected to enter the mosque after noon prayers.

Videos circulated by Israeli right-wing activists showed occupiers performing collective prayers opposite the Dome of the Rock. Another clip showed the Israeli flag being raised inside the compound as participants sang the Israeli national anthem in the presence of Israeli police.

Earlier, the Jerusalem Governorate said in a Facebook post that Israeli police allowed the number of occupiers entering the compound in each group to increase to around 150.

READ: Over 2,500 Israeli occupiers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem

Israeli forces imposed tight restrictions at the mosque’s gates and around Jerusalem’s Old City, deploying heavily across its courtyards and preventing Palestinian worshippers from entering, it added.

Only a very limited number of Palestinians managed to reach the mosque for dawn prayers before Israeli forces assaulted several worshippers and other residents, the statement said.

The governorate said occupiers “performed Talmudic rituals during the incursions, including wearing tefillin, carrying out full prostrations in the eastern section of the compound and chanting loudly.”

It added that “extremist groups advocating the construction of a Jewish temple at the site were mobilizing supporters in an effort to bring 5,000 occupiers into the compound” during Thursday’s incursions.

Ben-Gvir storms compound

The Jerusalem Governorate condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s storming of the compound as a “dangerous escalation” and a “flagrant violation” of its historical and legal status quo.

It said the move was part of “systematic targeting of Islamic holy sites” and attempts to impose new realities at the mosque.

The governorate said Ben-Gvir’s participation, alongside incursions by occupiers and groups advocating the construction of a “Jewish temple” at the site, marked a “dangerous shift” from attacks by extremist groups to the Israeli government’s official adoption of such actions.

It warned that the violations could have repercussions for regional security and stability, and urged the international community and international institutions to act to halt them.

The governorate stressed that the entire 144-dunam (35.6-acre) Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is “an exclusively Islamic place of worship,” saying any measures aimed at changing its identity or historical and legal status are “invalid and illegitimate.”

Likud party lawmaker Amit Halevi also stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Thursday morning.

READ: Israeli forces kill 3 Palestinians, withhold their bodies in occupied West Bank

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingTurkiye strongly condemns Israeli raid led by minister on Al Aqsa Mosque

Israeli Government takes legal step toward Ben-Gvir’s proposed “crocodile prison” plan

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Crocodiles [Wikipedia]

The Israeli government has taken a legal step that could enable the implementation of a proposal by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to use crocodile-filled waterways around detention facilities holding Palestinian prisoners, according to Israeli media reports.

Israeli Channel 7 reported on Thursday that Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman signed a declaration changing the legal classification of crocodiles to “cared-for wild animals.” According to the report, the reclassification would allow government agencies, including the Israel Prison Service, to keep crocodiles at their facilities under specified conditions.

The report said the amendment removes a legal obstacle that had previously prevented the proposal from moving forward, as crocodiles had been classified as protected wild animals and could not legally be kept outside licensed zoos.

READ: Israeli minister proposes keeping Palestinian detainees in facility ’surrounded by crocodiles’

According to Channel 13, the amendment followed objections from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority to the proposed project, which Israeli media have referred to as a “crocodile prison.”

Earlier this year, Ben-Gvir proposed building a high-security prison surrounded by waterways containing crocodiles, saying the measure would strengthen prison security and help prevent escape attempts by Palestinian security prisoners.

Channel 7 reported that the Israel Prison Service is examining the feasibility of the proposal and has conducted visits to zoos to study the handling and care of crocodiles.

According to the report, officials involved in the assessment concluded that crocodile-filled waterways around certain prisons could potentially reduce security costs while increasing deterrence.

READ: Israeli rights group demands independent medical examination of detained Gaza hospital director

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Orcas discuss how Trump was re-elected and him being an obviously insane, xenophobic Fascist.
Orcas discuss how Trump was re-elected and him being an obviously insane, xenophobic Fascist.

Continue ReadingIsraeli Government takes legal step toward Ben-Gvir’s proposed “crocodile prison” plan

Olmert: Israel is running a state-funded campaign of settler terrorism in West Bank

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert. [Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images]

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has accused the Israeli government of directly organising, funding and protecting Jewish terrorism in the West Bank. Writing in Haaretz yesterday, Olmert — who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2009 — issued what he called “unprecedented and harsh accusations against an Israeli government and the defence establishment.” 

“The fight against Jewish terrorism in the West Bank must advance to the next stage and be waged with greater determination,” said Olmert. “The daily terrorism that is managed, directed, encouraged and supported by the Israeli government can no longer be tolerated.”

Olmert dismissed the Israeli government’s attempts to portray settler violence as the work of isolated individuals. “What is happening across the West Bank today is not the work of ’70 kids from broken homes’,” he wrote, in a direct rebuke of a claim previously made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Nor are these the crimes of a small, anomalous minority among settlement residents, as some leaders of the settler movement often contend.”

According to Olmert, “The State of Israel is conducting an organised, systematic, state-funded campaign of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.”

READ: Israeli opposition leader warns country’s foreign relations being damaged amid tensions with allies

Olmert named the architects of the Israeli terror campaign directly. “At the forefront of this campaign are the prime minister, Defence Minister Israel Katz and the rest of the cabinet.” He identified ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich as driving forces, describing their pursuit of “full annexation of the West Bank without their Palestinian inhabitants remaining there” as tantamount to a policy of expulsion.

The former prime minister documented the daily texture of this violence: “pogroms, children and adults injured in and outside their homes, fields and property set ablaze, and large-scale theft — especially of cattle and sheep, the primary source of livelihood for many residents.”

Most strikingly, Olmert implicated Israel’s security apparatus as an active participant in terrorism campaign against Palestinians: “The Israel Police are, in practice, partners in what is taking place in the West Bank. They do not attempt to prevent these acts, despite their duty to do so. In many cases, security forces actively assist Jewish terrorists — and, remarkably, it is almost always the Palestinian victims who are arrested, rather than the perpetrators.” 

Olmert added that IDF soldiers, both conscripts and reservists, had been directly involved in violent attacks on Palestinians, reducing the army’s standard denial to “a hollow ritual.”

Olmert also turned his fire on the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service, which he said possessed the tools to confront Jewish terrorism but had chosen not to deploy them, a failure he described as “longstanding” and unacceptable. “There is no convincing explanation for why the Shin Bet is not using the tools at its disposal to confront the rampant Jewish terrorism in the West Bank,” explained Olmert.

READ: Illegal settler violence against Palestinians in occupied West Bank rises by 25% in 2025:

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir "I support Zionism without Qualification" Starmer supporting genocide. He berates Palestine Action for upholding international law and prevent his - Labour and Israel's - Gaza genocide. Starmer says that that they've got a genocide to achieve, forced marches like the Nazis did, hospitals to bomb into obliteration, journalists, healthcare workers and starving people queuing for food to mass-murder and that they have to murder all Gazans for Zionism.
Keir “I support Zionism without Qualification” Starmer supporting genocide. He berates Palestine Action for upholding international law and prevent his – Labour and Israel’s – Gaza genocide. Starmer says that that they’ve got a genocide to achieve, forced marches like the Nazis did, hospitals to bomb into obliteration, journalists, healthcare workers and starving people queuing for food to mass-murder and that they have to murder all Gazans for Zionism.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingOlmert: Israel is running a state-funded campaign of settler terrorism in West Bank

Ireland imposes travel ban on 2 Israeli Cabinet ministers

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (L) and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in Jerusalem. [Photo by AMIR COHEN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images]

Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed on Friday that the government imposed a travel ban on two Israeli Cabinet ministers, Anadolu Agency reports.

Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan introduced travel bans on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Martin said as he was in Montenegro for the EU-Western Balkans Summit, according to broadcaster RTE.

Underlining that the two ministers’ actions and words “amount to a desire to see the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine,” Martin called for further EU measures against them.

“In my view, their behavior justifies sanctions at EU level as well, and that’s something that we will raise; whether we can get sufficient support across the European Union is a different matter,” he said.

A spokesperson for O’Callaghan said travel bans on the two Israeli ministers were put in place following an agreement by the government earlier this week.

READ: Nearly 5,000 Belgian academics and students urge universities to cut Israel ties

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingIreland imposes travel ban on 2 Israeli Cabinet ministers

EU considers sanctions on Israeli ministers over Gaza aid flotilla treatment: Report

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was filmed mocking detained Gaza flotilla activists. [Screengrab/X@itamarbengvir]

The European Union is considering sanctions against Israeli ministers accused of inciting human rights violations following Israel’s attack on a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla, according to a draft of conclusions for the June 18-19 EU summit seen ahead of negotiations among member states.

Point 22 of the Middle East section states that the European Council “condemns the ill-treatment inflicted on detainees following the interception of the Global Sumud flotilla in international waters,” Italian ANSA news agency reported Tuesday.

The draft also calls on the EU Council “to continue its work on restrictive measures against extremist ministers who incite and promote such human rights violations.”

The text remains under negotiation among the permanent representatives of the EU’s 27 member states and could be amended before the summit.

READ: Malaysia prepared to take Israel to ICJ over treatment of Gaza flotilla activists

The proposal follows Israel’s attack on the Gaza-bound Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla in international waters.

Video released by Israeli authorities and widely circulated online showed Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir walking among detained activists who were kneeling in tightly packed rows with their hands restrained by zip ties.

The footage prompted criticism from rights and several governments.

France and Italy have since called for a stronger response from the bloc, including the possibility of sanctions.

EU leaders are expected to discuss the issue at the upcoming summit as member states seek a common position on the latest developments in Gaza and the wider Middle East.

READ: UN special rapporteur says Israel tortures Palestinian detainees in its detention centers

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.

Continue ReadingEU considers sanctions on Israeli ministers over Gaza aid flotilla treatment: Report