Gaza city: The Jerusalem Governorate has issued a warning regarding the increasing orders by Israeli occupation authorities to ban Palestinians from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque. This development comes as Jewish holidays approach, raising concerns about a systematic effort to limit Palestinian presence in the mosque while facilitating increased settler incursions and attempts to alter its religious character.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the Governorate highlighted that between early September and September 6, fifteen bans were issued, in contrast to a total of 23 orders during July and August combined. This surge is perceived as an attempt to enforce the ban policy more aggressively as Jewish holidays draw near.
The Governorate's statement also revealed that by the end of August, 785 deportation orders had been issued since the beginning of the year, with 762 occurring in the first half alone. Most of these involved the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, especially around the holy month of Ramadan. With additional orders in September, the tally reached 800. However, it is noted that these figures may underrepresent the actual number, as some affected individuals are reluctant to report their orders due to fears of repercussions.
Conversely, the data from the Governorate shows that from the start of the year to the end of August, settlers conducted 40,661 incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. This simultaneous rise in deportation orders and settler incursions suggests a dual strategy: restricting Palestinian access while expanding settler presence.
The Governorate asserts that the barring of Palestinians from Al-Aqsa is not a temporary measure but part of a long-standing policy, intensifying around Jewish holidays, which include Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. The period is marked by heightened risks as calls for increased incursions and Talmudic rituals within the mosque's courtyards intensify, making expulsion orders a preemptive measure to reduce Palestinian presence.
The Governorate emphasized that the 144-dunam Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is solely the right of Muslims, and any attempts to change its nature or status by occupation measures are invalid and rejected. These actions do not confer any rights to alter the mosque's identity or its historical and legal status.