Groups of settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque this Sunday morning, under heavy protection from Israeli police forces. They performed Talmudic rituals, including chanting and dancing, coinciding with the so-called "Hebrew New Year."
Tightening Measures at Al-Aqsa Gates
Local sources reported that the Israeli police tightened security and military measures in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and at its gates, imposing restrictions on the entry of worshippers. This occurred simultaneously with the settlers' incursions into the mosque courtyards and their performance of Talmudic rituals there.
These developments come amid a state of tension in Jerusalem, in light of escalating movements by extremist settler groups who are intensifying calls for mass incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque during Jewish holidays.
Calls to Expand Rituals Inside the Mosque
The "Temple" groups seek to perform Talmudic rituals within the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, including blowing the shofar, alongside organizing group rituals in the Bab al-Rahma area.
These calls raise Palestinian fears of an attempt to impose these practices repeatedly inside Al-Aqsa Mosque, which, according to Palestinian warnings, contributes to changing the existing reality in the mosque and imposing new facts on the ground.
Palestinian Calls to Intensify Presence
In this context, Hamas leader Majed Abu Qatish called on Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and within Israel to intensify their presence and steadfastness at Al-Aqsa Mosque, coinciding with the movements of settler groups.
Abu Qatish stressed the need to thwart what he described as the occupation and settlers' plans aimed at normalizing incursions and Talmudic rituals and turning them into a routine practice inside Al-Aqsa Mosque.
These developments coincide with Palestinian calls to travel to and remain at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and to confront settlers' attempts to impose their rituals and establish a new reality in its courtyards.
