Israeli police arrest 13 as violence taints Jerusalem Day celebrations
Far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir claimed to have ‘restored sovereignty’ over the Temple Mount during the event, accompanied by one of his MKs who later called for the destruction of Al-Aqsa Mosque
Assessment
The arrest of 13 people during Jerusalem Day celebrations signals a volatile intersection of political provocation and public unrest. A far-right minister's claim of restored sovereignty, coupled with an MK's call to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque, escalates tensions around a site already prone to conflict. The coming days will test whether security forces can contain further violence or if these statements will trigger broader confrontations.