Hanukkah at Al-Aqsa: Large-scale incursions and the imposition of public rituals under official auspices
Throughout Hanukkah, which began last Monday, the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Al-Buraq Wall witnessed widespread incursions by thousands of settlers.
The number of settlers who stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the week of Hanukkah totaled 2,779, broken down as follows:
• Monday: 220 settlers
• Tuesday: 370 settlers
• Wednesday: 369 settlers
• Thursday: 447 settlers
• Sunday: 917 settlers
• Monday (end of the holiday): 456 settlers
Ongoing violations
These incursions were accompanied by ongoing violations, including the performance of prayers and public religious rituals, and the formation of dance and singing circles within the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The incursion began at the Dung Gate, passed through the eastern courtyard, and reached the eastern area adjacent to the Bab al-Rahma prayer area, which became a main station for prayers, sitting, singing circles, explanations about the alleged “Temple”, taking pictures, and lying down on the ground. The intruders then continued their march toward the northern arcades, reaching the western side of the mosque, where the areas overlooking the Dome of the Rock witnessed prayers and public singing.
Lighting Hanukkah candles three times inside Al-Aqsa Mosque
On the second day of Hanukkah (Monday), settlers lit candles and placed them on a designated wooden board representing the second-day candle.
On the seventh day of Hanukkah (Sunday), settlers lit candles inside Al-Aqsa Mosque, specifically in the eastern area, a few meters from the Bab al-Rahma prayer area.
On Monday (the last day of Hanukkah), two settlers lit a candle in the western portico of the mosque.
Settlers brought religious items and clothing for prayer into the mosque, including tallit (prayer shawls) and tefillin (prayer beads), as well as religious books and flags representing the alleged Temple.
Senior rabbis, activists from Temple Mount organizations, and students from religious schools and seminaries participated in the incursions, during which religious and ritual explanations were provided to the intruders within the Al-Aqsa Mosque. These incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque took place through the Dung Gate, whose keys have been controlled by the Israeli occupation authorities since the occupation of Jerusalem. The incursions occur twice daily (morning and afternoon), according to a daily schedule, except on Fridays and Saturdays, and last for five and a half hours.
The thresholds of Al-Aqsa: Prayers and complete religious rituals
In the vicinity of the mosque, settlers placed a Hanukkah menorah and lit candles daily from the outside at the Al-Qataneen Gate.
Settlers also held a dinner inside the Al-Qattaneen market, amid strict restrictions imposed on merchants.
The Al-Buraq Wall also saw official participation in the holiday rituals, with the Israeli Prime Minister and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee lighting the Hanukkah menorah.
The seventh day of Hanukkah coincided with the start of the Hebrew month. On Saturday evening, settlers held their monthly march to the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque from outside. In the Lions Gate courtyard (Al-Ghazali Square), they held public prayers, lit Hanukkah candles, and blew the shofar.
Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin participated in lighting the eighth and final Hanukkah candle at the Dung Gate, noting what he described as a significant change in the status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in recent years. Levin affirmed his personal commitment to continuing efforts to extend the hours during which settlers storm and pray at Al-Aqsa to include evening hours.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation authorities imposed restrictions on Muslim access to Al-Aqsa, preventing entry during periods designated for settler incursions, confiscating the identity cards of those arriving before entry, and preventing them from being present and praying at the gates of Al-Aqsa.
