Reaction from Sheikh Ikrime Sabri to Israeli attacks on Masjid al-Aqsa

Former Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, Masjid al-Aqsa Imam Hatib and Head of the Supreme Islamic Council of Jerusalem, Sheikh Ikrime Sabri, made a written statement regarding the violations and attacks on the Masjid al-Aqsa by Israeli politicians and Israelis who usurped Palestinian lands.

Pointing out that the violations and attacks against the Al-Aqsa Mosque have increased recently, Sabri said, "We are witnessing the show of force of the occupation army under the leadership of the officials of the far-right Israeli government. The aim of these actions, which are increasingly exceeding their limits, is to establish Israeli sovereignty over the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This is just a fake show-off that will not give them any rights in the Al-Aqsa." he said.

Sabri emphasized that Masjid al-Aqsa has not changed for centuries, that it remains the temple of Muslims no matter how different the forms of attack and occupation are, and that Israel cannot have any rights there.

“It is the pathetic helplessness felt towards what is happening that increases the pain.”

Criticizing the inaction of the international community, Sabri continued by saying that the Palestinian people will never give up on Al-Aqsa, which is a part of their faith, no matter how difficult the conditions become and how much the pressure increases:

"We cannot deny that what happened in Al-Aqsa Mosque is heartbreaking. What increases the pain is the pathetic state of helplessness and international silence towards what is happening.

But we remember the history of Islam; There is no period of oppression that is not followed by relief. "No matter how severe the trouble gets, no matter how much Aqsa is besieged, it will never change its truth and will not be able to erase it from the Islamic faith."

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir raided the Masjid al-Aqsa yesterday, accompanied by police protection and a group of Israelis who usurped Palestinian lands, and prayed inside.

Ben-Gvir, who has raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque many times before, generally carries out his raids under the protection of Israeli forces without making any announcements.

According to the peace agreement signed between Israel and Jordan on October 26, 1994, Al-Aqsa Mosque is under the auspices of the Jerusalem Islamic Foundations Administration, which is affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Foundations, Islamic Affairs and Sacred Affairs.

Since 2003, Jews have been entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque accompanied by police, upon Israel's unilateral decision. Describing these entries as "raid", the Jerusalem Islamic Foundations Administration emphasizes that the sovereignty of Muslims has been violated.