Jerusalem: The Jerusalem Governorate issued a warning on Monday regarding the intensifying provocative rhetoric by extremist "Temple" organizations targeting the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque. This warning comes as the mosque remains closed by the occupation authorities for the tenth consecutive day.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the Governorate's statement contends that the ongoing closure is not a matter of "temporary security measures," as claimed by the occupation authorities. Instead, it suggests a political and ideological agenda aimed at altering the religious, historical, and legal status of Al-Haram al-Sharif.
The Governorate highlighted the role of the "Temple Institute," an extremist group advocating for the establishment of a "Temple" on the site of Al-Aqsa. This group has called for the closure to continue, citing a "lack of safe shelters" as justification. The Governorate argues that this closure serves as a strategic advantage for these organizations, aiming to partition the Al-Aqsa Mosque and make it accessible to all religions. The institute is reportedly pushing for the closure to extend through the end of the war, preventing Muslim access during the last ten days of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.
Additionally, it was noted that "Temple" organizations are using this closure to ramp up propaganda efforts, seeking to conduct the "Passover Sacrifice" within Al-Aqsa Mosque during the Hebrew Passover from April 1-8, 2026. They are reportedly employing AI-generated visuals to galvanize support and enforce the ritual.
The Jerusalem Governorate expressed grave concern about the unprecedented nature of the mosque's closure to worshippers, specifically pointing out that this marks the first instance since the 1967 occupation of Jerusalem where Tarawih night prayers were not held at the mosque during Ramadan's final ten days. The authority to open and close Al-Aqsa Mosque, the statement insists, rests solely with the Islamic Waqf Department, which is internationally recognized as the legal entity managing the mosque. The Governorate asserts that any closures or restrictions imposed by occupation authorities constitute a violation of international law and freedom of worship.
Highlighting a stark inconsistency, the Governorate noted the irony in the situation where Palestinian worshippers are barred from Al-Aqsa under the guise of "safety measures," while thousands of colonists recently celebrated the "Purim" holiday in Jerusalem's streets, underscoring what the Governorate describes as the occupation authorities' double standards.
