Ben-Gvir prays on Temple Mount for Jerusalem Day

The minister called for victory in the war, returning the hostages and success for the incoming Shin Bet chief.

(May 26, 2025 / JNS)

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount on Monday morning.

“I ascended the Temple Mount in honor of Jerusalem Day and prayed for victory in the war, the return of all our hostages, and the success of the incoming Shin Bet chief—Maj. Gen. David Zini. Happy Jerusalem Day!” Ben-Gvir posted on social media alongside a video of himself speaking at the holy site.

Ben-Gvir was flanked by Negev, Galilee and National Resilience Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf and Knesset member Yitzhak Kroizer during the visit.

MK Zvi Sukkot also ascended the Temple Mount and posted a video of himself prostrating and waving an Israeli flag. “The Temple Mount is in our hands,” he declared in Hebrew.

The visit came as Israelis marked 58 years since the reunification of Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War, which also saw Judea and Samaria liberated. Thousands were expected to take part in the annual Flags March parade through the capital.

The parade was scheduled to begin Monday afternoon, with thousands of Israelis expected to march through the Old City, culminating at the Western Wall. The event traditionally features a strong presence of youth waving Israeli flags and singing nationalist songs, and is closely monitored by security forces due to potential friction near Muslim areas of the city.

Jordan condemned Ben-Gvir’s visit to the holy site.

His appearances at the Temple Mount have drawn criticism from adversaries who view Jewish presence there as provocative; the minister maintains that visiting Judaism’s holiest site is a legitimate expression of Israeli sovereignty.