![Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir joined thousands of extremist Jews in a raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on July 23, 2026. [Screengrab - Anadolu Agency]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/20260723_3_75328081_127592794_poster-1-1.jpg)
The UN said Thursday that a raid by an Israeli minister, accompanied by an extremist group, on Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem was “very dangerous” for the status quo of Jerusalem’s holy sites, Anadolu reports. “There is a status quo regarding the holy sites of Judaism, Christianity, and, of course, Islam in Jerusalem. It is incumbent that that status quo be respected,” spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said during a news conference when asked about the raid. “It is incumbent on the Israeli authorities to ensure that it is respected, and that the faithful of all religions are able to interact with those sites, their own sites, in a free manner,” he said, stressing that “these sorts of activities that we […]