Israeli extremist temple groups issued a call for 5,000 settlers to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque en masse. The call, which falls on Thursday, July 23, was made on the 9th of Av, marked in the Hebrew calendar as the anniversary of the 'Temple Destruction.' This date is known as a period when attacks on Al-Aqsa escalate every year.
According to an analysis published by Al Jazeera, this year's call holds special significance because it coincides with the period before the first Israeli elections following the war in Gaza. In the election atmosphere, the temple groups' raids on Al-Aqsa are expected to increase in both number and intensity.
Messiah symbol drawn on Al-Aqsa walls
Two days before the call, some settlers drew a crown symbol, meaning 'Messiah,' on the stones of Al-Aqsa Mosque in an unprecedented act. This symbol is used by extremist groups as part of their 'Third Temple' belief and is depicted as a crown over the temple.
According to Al Jazeera, this drawing is interpreted as more than a religious symbol; it is seen as an indication that the idea of the 'Third Temple' has turned into a political program. Supported especially by Israel's religious Zionist right and American evangelical Christians, this project is based on the belief that with the coming of the Messiah, the people of Israel will rule over all nations.
Israeli politicians back temple call
The anniversary events of the Temple Destruction drew attention with the participation of senior Israeli political figures. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett shared a special photo on this occasion, while far-right lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir held a mass prayer with settlers in front of the Kattanin Gate, one of the western gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commemorated the day in a speech emphasizing Israel's 'eternity.'
Meanwhile, one of the largest temple organizations, the 'Temple Institute,' attempted to hold a special nighttime prayer in front of the Ghawanimeh Gate at the northwest corner of Al-Aqsa. This attempt is seen as a new escalation for groups that failed to seize the same gate in 1998.
Goal: Sovereignty through numerical superiority
The temple groups' goal of bringing 5,000 settlers to Al-Aqsa in a single day is seen as a reflection of Israel's long-term plan. According to Al Jazeera's analysis, this numerical target carries the aim of establishing de facto sovereignty over Al-Aqsa by outnumbering the Muslim presence.
However, Israel has so far been unable to achieve full sovereignty over Al-Aqsa Mosque. Internal obstacles, such as the traditional fatwa of the official rabbinate prohibiting Jews from entering Al-Aqsa, make reaching this goal difficult. Nevertheless, the article emphasizes that this failure should not be considered a victory for Arabs and Muslims; the real victory is deterring the occupation and settlers.
The Al Jazeera analysis included the statement: 'The crown drawn on the stones was not just a scribble, but a visual summary of the shift from religious belief to politics, from waiting for the Messiah to establishing sovereignty over the land.' The analysis warns that if the current project is not deterred, the 'Third Temple' rhetoric could turn into a real program that Israeli parties attempt to implement.
