Continuous violations during Ramadan - 741 settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque during the “Purim” holiday
During the month of Ramadan, settlers continue to violate Al-Aqsa Mosque and its sanctity through daily incursions and collective and public prayers.
During the Purim holiday, which this year was exceptionally long, lasting four days due to the fact that Purim fell on a Saturday, a day of fasting, the holiday rituals extended to Sunday, with 741 settlers storming Al-Aqsa Mosque (191 on Thursday, the first day of Purim, and 550 on the last day of the holiday, Sunday).
During Ramadan, incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque are limited to the morning period, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., while in the rest of the year, incursions take place during two periods: morning and afternoon.
During their incursions into Al-Aqsa, the settlers performed collective and public prayers, formed circles for dancing and singing, and prostrated themselves collectively and individually in the mosque.
The settlers were accompanied by police and special forces, who were deployed throughout the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards.
At the gates of the mosque, the police stationed at the gates imposed restrictions on the entry of worshippers. Some were randomly denied entry, their IDs were confiscated before being allowed to enter, and they were searched and forced to stand against the walls.
Since the beginning of Ramadan, more than 2,100 settlers have stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque. The highest number of incursions occurred on the occasion of the beginning of the Jewish month and the Purim holiday, where settlers performed their public and collective prayers and rituals at Al-Aqsa.
Settlers have been performing their prayers daily and publicly at Al-Aqsa since August 2024, when the then-Minister of Internal Security announced, upon storming Al-Aqsa, his intention to build a synagogue inside the mosque.
Meanwhile, the occupation authorities have expelled dozens of Palestinians from Al-Aqsa Mosque before and during Ramadan and imposed restrictions on Palestinian entry during the holy month. They prohibit West Bank residents from entering except on Fridays, restricting the age, hours, and number of worshippers. They have also banned Gaza residents from entering for years.
