1,041 settlers in two days: Largest incursions into Al-Aqsa, coinciding with the Hebrew new month
In a scene that portends a dangerous escalation, settlers have transformed Al-Aqsa Mosque into a public arena for religious rituals and ceremonies over the past two days. This move coincides with the Hebrew new month and is in preparation for the upcoming Hebrew New Year celebrations next month.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Jerusalem reported that 1,041 settlers and extremists stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque during the designated periods for incursions (419 on Sunday and 622 on Monday), under heavy protection from the occupation police.
The violations were not limited to large numbers. The intruders transformed the Al-Aqsa Mosque's corridors into arenas for collective rituals: public prayers in various courtyards, organized stops at points overlooking the Dome of the Rock to perform all rituals, and circles of dancing, singing, clapping, and religious chants. Their voices echoed inside Al-Aqsa from the moment they entered through the Dung Gate until they exited through the Al-Silsileh Gate, at a time when strict restrictions were imposed on the entry of Muslim worshippers.
Public religious rituals: Shofar blowing and tefillin
In a remarkable development, an extremist rabbi opened Monday's incursions by blowing the shofar, a gesture associated with Jewish holiday rituals, aimed at "demonstrating control and sovereignty over Al-Aqsa."
The Information Center explained that the shofar blowing has been repeated in recent years, and was recorded several times during the past year. It also occurred in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. What is striking today is that the blowing took place while marching inside Al-Aqsa and under the protection of the Israeli police, and one of its officers even documented it on video.
Another settler also brought in "tefillin"—one of the most prominent prayer tools in Jewish synagogues. These black leather boxes, which contain hand-written notes of Torah verses and are tied to the arm and forehead, were openly brought in with the approval of the Israeli police. This was an unprecedented incident inside Al-Aqsa Mosque. The bringing in of "tefillin" had previously been recorded on the anniversary of the so-called "destruction of the Temple."
Senior rabbis participated in the raids (today and yesterday), and ceremonies for blessing adulthood and marriage were held inside the mosque, in a blatant violation of the historical and religious status quo.
A "Singing Choir" at Lions Gate
The violations also extended beyond the mosque walls. On Sunday evening, "Temple" groups organized the monthly "Gate March," which began at the Al-Buraq Wall and toured the outer gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Settlers performed public group prayers, formed dancing and singing circles, and raised flags symbolizing the "alleged Temple."
At Lions Gate specifically, a first-of-its-kind event was held, featuring a performance by a choir dubbed the "Leviticus Guard Choir." Members dressed in costumes resembling those of the "alleged Temple priests," chanting hymns in front of one of the most important entrances to Al-Aqsa Mosque. This is a dangerous precedent that reflects the audacity of performing public rituals in the vicinity of the mosque.
Escalating context with the Hebrew holidays
These violations are part of a systematic policy to impose biblical rituals inside and around Al-Aqsa Mosque, especially with the approach of the major Jewish holidays over the next two months (Jewish New Year, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot). These occasions annually witness an escalation in settler incursions and public rituals inside Al-Aqsa.
Increasing number of intruders
Extremist "Temple" organizations announced that 7,561 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque during August alone, while the number of intruders since the beginning of this year has reached 54,231, representing a 15% increase compared to the same period last year.
