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- October 19, 202617°
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Türkiye and Arab countries call to stop Al-Aqsa raids
Türkiye, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Hamas condemned reported incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of Israeli security forces. Their statements called on the international community to act to preserve Jerusalem’s historical and legal status and safeguard Palestinians and the holy sites.
Warnings that incursions targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque threaten Jerusalem’s historical and legal status have come in succession. Türkiye, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Hamas responded to reported raids carried out under the protection of Israeli security forces, saying the actions provoked Muslims’ emotions and weakened the delicate balance in Jerusalem.
The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Department and Palestinian media reported that Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and around 1,500 Israeli settlers entered Al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday. According to the same sources, the groups performed Jewish religious rituals under police protection, while restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshippers were tightened.
Türkiye describes Al-Aqsa Mosque as a red line
Burhanettin Duran, Türkiye’s Presidential Communications Director, condemned the entry of Israeli groups into Al-Aqsa Mosque. Duran said every provocation targeting the holy site was an unacceptable attack on Jerusalem’s historical and legal status.
Stating that the raids took place under the protection of Israeli security forces, Duran said the steps increased tensions in Jerusalem and disregarded the inviolability of the holy sites. He said Jerusalem was a shared geography for all three monotheistic religions, while Al-Aqsa Mosque was a shared place of worship for Muslims and a common heritage of humanity.
Duran said Türkiye’s position was based on the rights of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and quoted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as saying, “Al-Aqsa Mosque, our first qibla, is our red line.” Duran said Türkiye would continue to defend the inviolability of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the rights of Palestinians.
Qatar and Gulf countries call for international action
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the ongoing incursions by settlers into Al-Aqsa Mosque. The ministry warned that violations and repeated provocations could fuel cycles of violence and escalation in the region and weaken the prospects for calm and stability.
Doha said Al-Aqsa Mosque was a place of worship belonging exclusively to Muslims. Qatar argued that unilateral steps aimed at changing the existing historical and legal status of Jerusalem and the holy sites were invalid under international law, and called on the international community to compel Israel to halt the violations and comply with relevant international resolutions.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the entry of settler groups into Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of Israeli security forces. The ministry called on the international community and the United Nations Security Council to fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities to stop the violations and protect Palestinians and the holy sites.
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned repeated raids under police protection, as well as the tightened restrictions imposed on Palestinians’ movement. The ministry warned of the consequences the measures could have for the situation in the Palestinian territories and said Jerusalem’s historical and legal status must be respected.
Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the continuing incursions by settlers into Al-Aqsa Mosque, including the latest raid, violated the existing historical and legal status of the holy site. Amman argued that the steps aimed to impose a division of Al-Aqsa Mosque by time and place, and said Israel had no sovereignty over occupied East Jerusalem and the holy sites.
Jordan also called on the international community to adopt a firm position that would compel Israel to halt violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Palestine and Hamas warn of a religious war
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for the Palestinian presidency, condemned the increase in settler incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem. Abu Rudeineh said the incursions were an attempt to create a new fait accompli and a dangerous provocation targeting the feelings of Muslims around the world.
Abu Rudeineh warned that attempts to impose a division of Al-Aqsa Mosque by time and place, together with the escalation in Jerusalem, could turn the political conflict into a religious war threatening regional security and stability. He said the entire 144-dunum area of Al-Aqsa Mosque was a place of worship belonging exclusively to Muslims and could not be divided or opened for shared use.
The Palestinian official called on the international community to take urgent and practical steps to provide protection for the Palestinian people and the holy sites. Abu Rudeineh also called for Israeli authorities to be compelled to halt the violations and comply with relevant international resolutions.
Hamas said Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem was facing unprecedented incursions by settlers. The group also listed the bringing of objects used in Jewish religious rituals into the courtyards among the dangerous developments.
Khaled Mashal, Hamas’s leader outside Palestine, argued that Al-Aqsa Mosque was at a critical juncture and that Israel was seeking to complete its efforts to control the holy site. Mashal alleged that attempts were being made to shrink Al-Aqsa Mosque’s area and impose spatial division through excavations, control over facilities and preventing Islamic waqfs from carrying out their responsibilities.
Incursions increased during Jewish holidays
Settler incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque have increased since the start of the Jewish holidays. The Jewish New Year was celebrated on September 12 and 13, and Yom Kippur on September 21 and 22. Sukkot will take place from September 26 to October 2, while the day marking the celebration of the joy of the Torah will be held on October 3.
Palestinians argue that Israel has long been intensifying steps aimed at changing the identity of East Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque. While Israeli police have allowed settlers to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque since 2003, the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Department continues to call for the practice to end.
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