Jerusalem – According to the Jerusalem Governorate, Israeli police allowed a contingent of about 1,500 Jewish settlers to enter the courtyard of the Al‑Aqsa Mosque complex on Sunday, the second day of the Jewish festival of Sukkot. The movement of settlers was coordinated through the Mughrabi Gate, which was subsequently sealed by authorities after the influx.
The police presence was described as extensive, with officers reportedly enforcing strict curbs on Palestinian worshippers throughout the day. The governorate’s update noted that the restrictions limited the ability of Palestinians to access the mosque’s interior spaces, while the gate remained closed to the broader public.
Within the compound, the settlers gathered near the Cotton Merchants’ Gate, where they conducted prayers and performed Talmudic rituals. Observers also reported that participants brought plant material as part of symbolic offerings, a practice highlighted by the governorate’s account.
In addition to the activities inside the courtyard, some settlers were seen praying at the Bab Hutta entrance, further underscoring the scale of the coordinated presence. Israeli officials have not released an official statement on the police decision to permit the large group, but the closure of the Mughrabi Gate suggests an effort to manage the situation after the initial entry.
The episode occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions over access to the contested holy site, which is revered by both Muslims and Jews. Palestinian authorities and community leaders have repeatedly voiced concerns about restrictions that they say impede religious freedom, while Israeli officials maintain that security considerations guide their actions.
Middle East Eye, the source of the report, indicated that the police actions and the settlers’ presence were part of a broader pattern of contested access during the holy days, reflecting ongoing disputes over sovereignty and worship rights in Jerusalem.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-police-guard-1500-jewish-settlers-storming-al-aqsa-mosque.