Jewish settlers raid Al-Aqsa Mosque in police protection

Over 200 illegal Jewish settlers, accompanied by Israeli police, raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City, with increased tensions expected due to ongoing Passover holiday raids

More than 200 illegal Jewish settlers, under the protection of Israeli police, raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem.

In a written statement from the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Administration, it was reported that 217 fanatic Jewish settlers raided the Al-Aqsa compound through the Moroccan Gate, southwest of the mosque.

Increased raids by Jewish settlers at Al-Aqsa Mosque are anticipated in the afternoon, heightening tensions in the region.

The surge in such incursions, driven by extremist elements, coincides with the ongoing Passover holiday, which began on April 22 and concludes on April 30. Notably, during the first two days of Passover, 1,167 fervent Jewish settlers conducted raids at Al-Aqsa Mosque, underscoring the escalating nature of these events.

Status of Al-Aqsa Mosque

According to the Wadi Araba Agreement signed between Jordan and Israel in 1994, Jordan is recognized as the custodian of religious affairs in Jerusalem.

Furthermore, according to an agreement signed in 2013 between King Abdullah II of Jordan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordan is also granted the defense and guardianship rights of Jerusalem and its holy sites.

According to the agreement, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is protected by the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Administration, which is part of the Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs, and Holy Places of Jordan.

Previously, Jews visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque with the permission of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Administration have been entering the sacred site of Muslims under police escort since 2003, violating the administration’s sovereignty under Israel’s unilateral decision.

The Israeli authorities claim to maintain the historic status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, where “only Muslims can worship, while followers of other religions can only visit.”

However, the raids by fanatic Jewish settlers under Israeli police protection, during which they pray and perform religious rituals, are often captured on cameras.

Source: Newsroom