Hundreds of Israelis, accompanied by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday under the protection of Israeli police. The incursion occurred during the third day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, as Israeli authorities secured the area by closing surrounding intersections and streets leading to the site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.
Officials from the Jerusalem governorate reported that approximately 900 individuals entered the compound that morning. Witnesses noted that participants danced in circles and sang within the mosque courtyards. Ben-Gvir addressed the crowd, stating, “We are the owners of the place in Al-Aqsa and in the prisons, and we have turned the lives of terrorist prisoners into hell.” He added, “The people of Israel are on the path to absolute victory, and today we pray in Al-Aqsa, which is the most important place for the Jewish people.=”
The raid was accompanied by strict measures affecting the local Palestinian population. Dozens of shopkeepers in the Cotton Merchants Market near the mosque were compelled to close their businesses, and residents in adjacent areas were ordered to stay indoors to facilitate Jewish prayers. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel confirmed that owners of cafes and restaurants in the Old City were forced to shut down during the holiday to allow for the religious gatherings.
Palestinian officials condemned the action strongly. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas, labeled the intrusion “playing with fire” and a dangerous provocation to Muslims worldwide. He further warned that Israel was attempting to spark a “religious war” across the region.
Since 2003, Israeli police have permitted daily visits by groups of Israelis to the Al-Aqsa compound, with the exception of Fridays and Saturdays. However, Palestinian worshippers frequently face restrictions. Earlier this year, Israeli authorities prohibited Eid al-Fitr prayers at the site, limiting entry to just 10,000 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank for the first Friday prayers of Ramadan.
This is not surprising. These far-right leaders are deliberately trying to start a major regional conflict.