OREANDA-NEWS  Russia is concerned about the provocative action of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. This is stated in a statement on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Ben-Gvir, known for his right-wing views, performed a collective prayer in a mosque with the participation of several thousand Jews. According to the Ministry, such "irresponsible steps" lead to inciting radical sentiments among both Israelis and Palestinians, thereby undermining the efforts of the whole world to de-escalate in the Middle East.

"Unfortunately, such antics by supporters of religious Zionism are regular. The Israeli authorities should take effective measures to stop this vicious practice, which grossly violates the status quo of Jerusalem's holy sites," the Foreign Ministry stressed.

Earlier it became known that there was a split in the Israeli leadership due to disputes about the need to attack the Lebanese organization Hezbollah. There is a growing number of security officials and politicians in the country who believe that Israel needs to take "offensive actions" against Hezbollah.