Thousands of Jews visit Temple Mount, some pray openly on Tisha B'Av
On Thursday, July 23, 2026, thousands of Jews, including Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem to mark the Tisha B’Av fast. An advocacy group, Beyadenu, reported over 3,000 visitors by midday, with some openly praying, which marks a continued erosion of the longstanding status quo prohibiting non-Muslim prayer at the site. Jordan and the Palestinian Authority strongly condemned the visits, calling them a 'flagrant violation' of the historical and legal status quo.
The open prayer by Jews at the Temple Mount, a highly sensitive holy site, further heightens tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and drew international condemnation.
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