In a sharply formulated statement, Blinken said that Ben-Gvir showed "open contempt" for the agreement in place regarding the site, which is sacred to both Jews and Muslims.
"These provocative actions only exacerbate tensions at a critical moment when all focus should be on diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire, secure the release of hostages, and create conditions for broad regional stability," Blinken says in the statement.
International Criticism
Itamar Ben-Gvir and around 2,250 other Israelis walked through the area on Tuesday morning, where both the al-Aqsa mosque and the Muslim shrine the Dome of the Rock are located.
They sang Jewish psalms under the protection of Israeli police, according to an official from Waqf, the foundation that manages the shrines. Israeli police also "imposed restrictions" on Muslim worshippers trying to reach the mosques to pray.
Strong international criticism has been directed at Itamar Ben-Gvir's actions. Even Israel's prime minister has spoken out, something that Blinken takes note of in his statement.
"Incompatible"
"Prime Minister Netanyahu has clarified that Minister Ben-Gvir's actions are incompatible with Israel's policy. We will ensure that the Israeli government prevents similar incidents in the future," Blinken says.
Both Jews and Muslims claim the area on a hill in Jerusalem's old city, and visits like Ben-Gvir's are seen as a provocation.
Jews and other non-Muslims are allowed to visit the area – which in Arabic is called al-Haram al-Sharif – at certain times, but they are not allowed to pray or display religious symbols.
