Raids by Fanatic Jews on Al-Aqsa Mosque Continue
Raids by Fanatic Jews on Al-Aqsa Mosque Continue
Hundreds of fanatic Jews, under police protection, continued their raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, citing the Passover (Pesach) holiday.
An official from the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Administration, speaking to an AA correspondent on condition of anonymity, stated that 765 fanatic Jews stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in groups through the Al-Maghariba Gate.
The official also noted that 494 fanatic Jews entered the Haram al-Sharif yesterday.
Eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli group, who provocatively toured the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Mosque, performed "Talmudic rituals" in various parts of the Haram al-Sharif.
It was noted that Israeli police were deployed in the vicinity during the raid.
The fanatic Jewish groups entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the morning, and these entries were expected to continue in the afternoon.
Such raids by fanatic Jews on the Haram al-Sharif escalate tensions in the region.
With the beginning of Passover (Pesach) on the evening of April 12 and continuing until April 20 in Israel, an increase in these raids by fanatic Jews on Al-Aqsa Mosque is expected.
Raids Intensify During the Seven Jewish Holidays
As with the other six Jewish holidays, the raids by fanatics on Al-Aqsa Mosque intensify during Passover (Pesach).
According to the peace agreement signed between Israel and Jordan on October 26, 1994, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is under the custodianship of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Administration, which is affiliated with Jordan's Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs, and Holy Places.
Since 2003, Jews have been entering the sacred compound under police escort without permission from the Waqf Administration, based on Israel's unilateral decision. The Waqf Administration describes these entries as raids and emphasizes that Muslim sovereignty is being violated.
Israelis are conducting excavations beneath the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex—which includes the Qibla Mosque, Dome of the Rock Mosque, a museum, madrasahs, and a large courtyard—claiming that the ruins of Solomon’s Temple lie beneath it.
The Israeli government claims to preserve the historical status quo that allows only Muslims to worship at Al-Aqsa, while members of other religions may only visit.
However, during these raids, it is often documented that fanatic Jews, under Israeli police protection, perform prayers and religious rituals inside Al-Aqsa.
Most ultra-Orthodox Jewish rabbis in Israel emphasize that it is religiously forbidden for Jews to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Jerusalem Islamic Waqf: Fanatic Jews Provoke Muslims with Raids on Al-Aqsa
In a statement by the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Administration, it was emphasized that violations against the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem, are increasing.
It was reported that 189 extremist Jews stormed Al-Aqsa yesterday, while the number of those who raided the mosque today reached 1,149.
With the start of Passover, fanatic Jews have been entering the Haram al-Sharif to perform their own religious rituals such as praying, kneeling, dancing, and singing. It was noted that they also gathered at the mosque’s entrances to prevent Muslims from entering, committing a series of violations and provocations.
It was warned that extremist groups made calls to perform sacrificial rituals in and around the courtyard of Al-Aqsa, provoking Muslims worldwide and escalating tensions in the region.
The statement condemned the permission granted to extremist groups to perform various rituals in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa in violation of its historical, religious, and legal status, and the targeting of the Waqf employees and mosque preachers under various pretexts.
In the statement, it was emphasized: "The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Administration confirms that the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, with its 144-dunum area, is solely the right of Muslims. Non-Muslims have no connection to the mosque. It does not accept any division or partnership and has never been a center of religious conflict throughout history."
A call was made to King Abdullah II of Jordan to "assume his responsibilities in the face of these violations against one of Islam's three holiest mosques."
Jordan Is Recognized as the Custodian of Religious Affairs in Jerusalem
Jordan is recognized as the country responsible for religious affairs in Jerusalem under the Wadi Araba Agreement signed with Israel on October 26, 1994. Article 9 of the agreement stipulates that "Israel shall respect the present special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Muslim holy shrines in Jerusalem."
According to the agreement, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is under the custodianship of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Administration, affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs, and Holy Places. However, since 2003, Jews have been entering the sacred compound under Israeli police escort without the Waqf’s permission.
According to the status quo, fanatic Jewish settlers are not allowed to worship in Al-Aqsa, but they frequently conduct raids under the protection of Israeli police.