JERUSALEM — Jewish settlers stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Thursday, under the protection of Israeli occupation forces.
According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, a number of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque, conducted provocative tours of its courtyards, and performed Talmudic rituals, under the protection of the occupation forces.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is subjected to repeated incursions by settlers, under the protection of the occupation forces, which constitutes a dangerous escalation and a violation of the sanctity of the mosque.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world’s third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount, claiming it was the site of two ancient Jewish temples. Palestinians said Israel was escalating efforts to Judaize occupied East Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, and erase its Arab and Islamic identity.
The Palestinians regard East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, in line with international resolutions that do not recognise Israel’s occupation of the city in 1967 or its subsequent annexation in 1980.
Source: Saudi Gazette