Palestinian Governorate of Jerusalem: Settlers celebrated ceremonies at the Al-Aqsa Mosque

The Palestinian governorate of Jerusalem reported that Jewish settlers performed ceremonies in the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque under Israeli police protection, and attacked and harassed Palestinians in the Old City, including passers-by, shopkeepers and journalists. The government emphasized that similar events occur again during Jewish holidays.

The Al-Aqsa complex in Jerusalem's Old City, called the Temple Mount by Jews, covers a vast area with courtyards and other religious structures. It is a holy place for both Muslims and Jews, and its status and access rules are among the most controversial issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

According to Muslim tradition, this area is associated with the ascension of the Prophet Muhammad. For Jews, it is the place where the Jerusalem Temple, destroyed by the Romans, stood. At the western edge of the complex there is now the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism.

After Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967, a status quo was established according to which non-Muslims could visit the Al-Aqsa complex during certain hours, but were not supposed to pray or perform any rituals there.

However, the rules have been gradually relaxed in recent years, and this process has accelerated under the current coalition government. The parties of religious Zionism included in it, representing, among others, settler communities from the occupied West Bank have been demanding full Israeli control over this place for years.

According to data from the Palestinian Governorate of Jerusalem, from the beginning of the year to the end of August 2026, over 40,600 people entered the Al-Aqsa complex. settlers. By the beginning of September, approximately 800 bans were issued for Palestinian residents of Jerusalem to enter the complex.