Divisions within the Israeli establishment once again hit the headlines amid controversial comments made by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir about Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for keeping the far-right politician in the cabinet. “The whole region sees Netanyahu’s weakness against Ben-Gvir,” Lapid said on X.

“He can’t control the government even when it comes to a clear attempt to destabilize our national security. There is no policy, no strategy, no government really,” he said.

Ben-Gvir said on Monday that Jews can pray in Al-Aqsa and he would build a synagogue in its compound, according to the Israeli media.