Israeli Settlers Enter Al-Aqsa Mosque Under Police Escort, Raising Tensions
A series of visits by Israeli settlers to a major holy site in Jerusalem, facilitated by Israeli police, has drawn condemnation from Palestinian authorities and regional powers. The incidents center on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a site sacred to both Muslims and Jews, and have occurred repeatedly over recent days, including during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
The compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary), is located in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem. It is administered by the Islamic Waqf, a religious trust under Jordanian oversight, while Israeli authorities control security and access. Under longstanding agreements, non-Muslims are permitted to visit at specific times but are prohibited from praying on the premises [23216][26568].
Israeli police have escorted groups ranging from dozens to hundreds of settlers into the complex through gates controlled by Israeli authorities, describing the entries as "routine visits" during standard tourist hours [21844][23216][31468]. However, Palestinian officials and the Waqf have consistently condemned these actions, labeling them a provocative "storming" of the mosque [23216][21844][29583]. Reports indicate that some visitors performed religious rituals during the tours, which would contravene the status quo agreement [26568].
These escorted visits have coincided with the Hanukkah holiday and have drawn international criticism. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) condemned the incursions as "a serious escalation and an illegal transgression" [5901]. Saudi Arabia also issued a statement denouncing the "storming" of the Al-Aqsa courtyards [5374].
The site remains one of the most sensitive flashpoints in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Israeli police report the visits have passed without incident, they are widely viewed by Palestinians as a challenge to Muslim custodianship and a potential precursor to changes in the site's status, often fueling broader regional tensions [33477][26568][29583].