Rizky Amelia
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 heavy police protection, according to the Jerusalem governorate. The incursion occurred on the third day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot and has drawn sharp condemnation from Palestinian officials who warn it risks igniting a wider religious conflict.
The Jerusalem governorate reported that Israeli forces shut down intersections and streets around the Old City that lead to the compound, which Jews refer to as the Temple Mount. According to the governorate, approximately 900 people entered the site during the morning hours, with participants observed dancing in circles and singing within the courtyards of the mosque.
Ben-Gvir, who has a long history of provocative visits to the sensitive site, issued a defiant statement during the incursion. He declared that "we are the owners of the place in Al-Aqsa and in the prisons," adding that his government has "turned the lives of terrorist prisoners into hell." He further claimed that "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 compound, known to Muslims as Al-Aqsa Mosque and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is one of the most politically and religiously sensitive sites in the world. It is the third holiest site in Islam and the holiest site in Judaism. Under a longstanding arrangement often referred to as the status quo, non-Muslims are permitted to visit the compound at certain times but are not allowed to pray there. The arrangement has been a flashpoint for decades, and any perceived change to it has repeatedly triggered widespread unrest.
Monday's intrusion coincided with Israeli authorities forcing dozens of Palestinian shopkeepers to close their businesses and ordering residents to remain inside their homes in areas near the mosque. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel said in a statement that "dozens of Palestinian owners of shops, cafes and restaurants in the Cotton Merchants Market in Jerusalem's Old City were forced to close them during the Jewish Sukkot holiday to make way for Jewish prayers in the market."
The restrictions on Palestinian movement and commerce during a Jewish holiday underscore the broader tensions surrounding access to the site. Palestinian worshippers have long complained of being systematically excluded or restricted, particularly during Jewish holidays when Israeli authorities facilitate larger numbers of Jewish visitors. These measures, critics argue, effectively alter the delicate balance that has governed the compound for generations.
Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh strongly condemned the incursion, describing it as "playing with fire and a dangerous provocation to the feelings of Muslims around the world." He also warned that Israel was deliberately seeking to ignite a "religious war" in the region. His remarks reflect longstanding Palestinian concerns that such provocations are designed to provoke a wider confrontation and to undermine any remaining prospects for a negotiated settlement.
The incursion is not an isolated event. Since 2003, Israeli police have allowed groups of Israelis to make daily visits to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, except on Fridays and Saturdays. These visits have frequently been accompanied by tight restrictions on Palestinian worshippers. In a notable example earlier this year, Israel prevented Eid al-Fitr prayers at Al-Aqsa, permitting only 10,000 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank—home to some 3.3 million people—to enter the site for the first Friday prayers of Ramadan. That restriction was widely condemned as a disproportionate and discriminatory measure.
The repeated incursions by Israeli officials and settlers have drawn international criticism over the years. Critics argue that such actions violate the status quo understanding and constitute a deliberate attempt to Judaize the site. Supporters of the visits, including Ben-Gvir and other far-right figures, claim that Jews have a right to pray at their holiest site and reject characterizations of their actions as provocations.
Analysts note that Ben-Gvir's participation in the incursion is particularly significant given his position as national security minister, a role that grants him authority over the Israeli police force. His presence effectively signals official endorsement of the visit, blurring the line between a personal religious pilgrimage and a state-sanctioned action. This dynamic has raised concerns that the far-right minister is using his office to advance an agenda aimed at altering the status quo at the compound.
The timing of the incursion, during Sukkot, is also noteworthy. The holiday commemorates the biblical journey of the Israelites through the desert and is marked by the construction of temporary booths and the gathering of the "four species"—the etrog, lulav, hadass, and aravah. For many religious Jews, visiting the Temple Mount during Sukkot carries particular significance, which has in past years led to increased numbers of Jewish visitors during the holiday period.
Palestinian leaders have consistently warned that such actions threaten to transform the political conflict into a religious war. The presence of Israeli police protecting the visitors, combined with restrictions on Palestinian worshippers and merchants, reinforces the perception of unequal treatment and raises the risk of escalation. Previous incursions at the site have been followed by periods of heightened violence, including clashes in Jerusalem and rocket fire from Gaza.
The international community has repeatedly called for maintaining the status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Jordan, which serves as the custodian of Christian and Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem under a 1994 peace treaty with Israel, has often expressed concern over Israeli actions at the site. The United States and European governments have also urged restraint, warning that unilateral changes could inflame tensions across the region.
Monday's events come amid an already volatile period. Israeli attacks on Gaza and the West Bank have continued, and Palestinian worshippers have faced tear gas and other restrictions at mosques. The cumulative effect of these measures, combined with the high-profile nature of Ben-Gvir's visit, creates a combustible environment that observers say could quickly spiral beyond the immediate confines of the compound.
For many Palestinians, the incursion represents yet another example of what they describe as a systematic effort to erode their presence and rights in Jerusalem. The forced closure of shops in the Cotton Merchants Market, a historic commercial area in the Old City, has direct economic consequences for Palestinian families who depend on daily commerce for their livelihoods. The order to remain indoors further restricts their freedom of movement and reinforces a sense of siege.
As the Sukkot holiday continues, further visits to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound are expected. Palestinian and international observers will be watching closely to see whether the situation escalates or whether calls for restraint are heeded. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the incursion remains a symbolic provocation or becomes a catalyst for a broader confrontation.
Comments (0)