Gaza Herald – The Israeli High Court in Jerusalem is scheduled to review a petition submitted by the “Shofar Betzion” organization and the so-called “General Committee for Opening the Temple Mount on Saturdays.” The petition seeks to lift restrictions preventing settlers from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during Sabbath days. This legal move aligns with continuous efforts by occupation authorities to alter the status quo and establish new facts within the holy site.
According to Nasser Al-Hadmi, head of the Jerusalem Body Against Judaization, these steps represent a gradual process aimed at entrenching settler presence and imposing Jewish rituals in the courtyards. He stated that allowing such incursions constitutes an attack on the sanctity of the place and Muslim prayer freedoms. Al-Hadmi warned that this could lead to temporal and spatial division similar to what occurred at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.
The petition demands that police end the closure of what they call the “Temple Mount” on Saturdays and permit entry and prayer. Radical “Temple Groups” have issued calls urging supporters to gather outside the High Court to fill the courtroom and hold prayers nearby. They plan to wave flags associated with their groups during the session scheduled for Wednesday morning.
Al-Hadmi emphasized that these changes pose a significant threat to the future of Al-Aqsa. He noted that the occupation views the Ibrahimi Mosque model as a precedent to follow. The activist stressed that opening the site to settlers on Saturdays marks a clear shift in reality that may become irreversible with further repercussions.
Regarding the political context, Al-Hadmi argued that Israeli elections and shifting public sentiment influence how authorities handle the site. He claimed the occupation uses incursions as part of electoral propaganda to gain votes from the extremist right wing. He observed a growing trend toward extremism and denial of Palestinian rights within Israeli society.
Simultaneously, settlers continue entering via the Moroccan Gate, performing rituals in the eastern courtyard under heavy security. “Temple Groups” are preparing for further incursions near Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah. During recent celebrations, large congregations prayed along the northern side while blowing shofars before exiting through the Chain Gate.
Occupation authorities have also intensified decisions to ban individuals from the mosque for varying periods. This policy targets worshippers, activists, workers, and released prisoners. These measures form part of a continuous strategy to restrict access and control the religious landscape of the compound.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
