LONDON: Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right national security minister, entered the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Thursday as thousands of Jewish nationalists marched through the city.

Ben-Gvir raised an Israeli flag within the compound and posed for a photo with Israeli police officers present, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa.In anticipation of the nationalist march, Israeli forces imposed restrictions on non-resident Palestinians entering the Old City, barricaded areas around Herod’s Gate and Damascus Gate, and required shopkeepers to close their stores.

The parade took place under heavy security and spanned into Friday in celebration of Jerusalem Day, commemorating Israel's takeover of East Jerusalem during the 1967 war.On Wednesday, Yitzhak Wasserlauf, the minister for the Negev, Galilee, and national resilience, visited Al-Aqsa ahead of the event.

He stated that Ben-Gvir was spearheading a 'revolution' at the site, emphasizing both ministers' association with the far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party.Ben-Gvir has been a vocal advocate for increased Jewish access to Al-Aqsa since taking office in 2023.

His repeated incursions into the compound have been met with widespread criticism and outrage.