On the eve of the "destruction of the Temple," a simultaneous escalation targets Al-Aqsa Mosque: anticipated incursions, religious symbols on its walls, and expulsions of Jerusalemites
On the eve of the "destruction of the Temple," a simultaneous
On the eve of the so-called "Destruction of the Temple" anniversary, Jerusalem is experiencing a surge in tensions led by extremist groups on the Temple Mount and the Israeli occupation authorities. This rise in tension is evident in intensified calls for a large-scale storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, efforts to introduce religious symbols and slogans into its courtyards, and the ongoing ban on Palestinians accessing the mosque. These actions are part of a broader attempt to establish a new reality at Al-Aqsa, leveraging Jewish religious holidays to increase incursions and Talmudic rituals within the site.
A Temple Mount slogan appears on the stones of the eastern courtyards of Al-Aqsa
Images shared by platforms and groups linked to extremist Israeli Temple Mount organizations depict a red slogan on one of the stone walls in the eastern courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This coincides with their preparations to mark the so-called "Destruction of the Temple," a significant religious event that typically sees increased incursions and violations inside the mosque.
The emblem, resembling a crown atop a rectangular base—used by some Temple Mount groups—symbolizes concepts such as "sovereignty," "the king's crown," and "the age of redemption" in their narrative about rebuilding the Temple in place of Al-Aqsa. The base beneath signifies the foundation or platform of the alleged Temple.
The emblem was seen on the stairs in the eastern section and near the Bab al-Rahma prayer area, with the Dome of the Rock in the background. Recently, the eastern courtyards have become the primary gathering site for Temple Mount groups during their daily visits. They conduct public group prayers, prostration rituals, and Torah study sessions while ongoing efforts aim to reshape the site's reality. These groups refer to the area as a "synagogue," a term also used by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir during his 2014 incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Similarly, extremist groups on the Temple Mount have escalated their efforts to organize a large-scale storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque next Thursday, aligning with their event called the "Destruction of the Temple.' They spread messages via their platforms with slogans like "Let's stop the wailing and start building" and "Let everyone participate," explicitly encouraging wider participation in the incursion.
These groups also issued a letter to the Israeli Prime Minister and the Minister of National Security, demanding permission for settlers to storm the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Wednesday evening, to hold night prayers inside, and to have the annual "March of Sovereignty" end within the mosque's courtyards. They warned they would gather at the Dung Gate and attempt to storm Al-Aqsa if their demands are not fulfilled.
Each year, on the eve of this event, groups focused on the Temple Mount organize marches around the Old City. These marches begin in West Jerusalem and feature prayers and religious chants in the streets, along with special outside prayers at the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. These groups aim to have the largest possible turnout for Thursday's incursion, seeking to break previous records. Last year, approximately four thousand settlers participated in this event.
Expulsions... emptying Al-Aqsa of its worshippers before the incursions
In parallel with preparations for the so-called "destruction of the Temple" incursions, the occupation authorities continue to issue and renew expulsion orders against Jerusalemites from Al-Aqsa Mosque, in a move aimed at emptying the mosque.
Occupation police detained Jerusalem journalist Ahmed Safadi at his home in the Old City and subsequently ordered his expulsion from Al-Aqsa Mosque for one week, with the option to extend the ban. This marks his second consecutive expulsion.
The occupation authorities have extended the expulsion order against Jerusalem-based activist Nasser al-Hidmi from Al-Aqsa Mosque for an additional six months, maintaining his ban from entering the mosque for almost two years.
In the same context, authorities issued a six-month expulsion order for released prisoner Saif Abu Jom’a from Al-Aqsa Mosque, marking the second consecutive time.
