As Israel escalates its war of extermination, starvation, and displacement in Gaza, and intensifies its settler colonialism and ethnic cleansing in the occupied West Bank, it is simultaneously accelerating a new phase of provocations and Judaic claims in Jerusalem—specifically targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque.
On Sunday morning, Al-Aqsa witnessed its largest single-day raid since its occupation. The storming coincided with what Israel calls the “Destruction of the Temple” commemoration, and was led by far-right Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, along with other ministers and Knesset members, all under heavy military protection.
Photos also captured Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant arriving at the Western Wall (Al-Buraq), adjacent to Al-Aqsa Mosque. He declared:
“Israel will forever strengthen its grip on East Jerusalem, the Western Wall, and the Temple Mount,”
reaffirming Israel’s ambitions to impose full control.
Dangerous Shift Toward Spatial Division
Cameras recorded settlers performing the “Priestly Blessing” ritual inside the mosque—an unprecedented breach of red lines. Previously, such rituals were confined to limited eastern areas. The Jerusalem Governorate described this incident as a dangerous escalation and the beginning of a public, spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
A “Golden Opportunity” for the Far Right
According to Israeli affairs expert Muhannad Mustafa, the Israeli right believes the current situation presents a historic opportunity to alter the status quo of Al-Aqsa, impose Jewish prayer zones, and expand settler access.
The religious nationalist settler movement—which includes Ben Gvir—is working aggressively to impose a new reality on the ground. Numerous Zionist religious organisations are operating day and night with one shared goal: the reconstruction of the so-called Third Temple atop the ruins of Al-Aqsa.
This is not a random or emotional campaign. According to Mustafa, it is a systematic plan to rewire Israeli public consciousness. Over dozens of Knesset sessions, discussions framed under the guise of “Jewish religious freedom” have been pushing for increased incursions and expanded Jewish prayer rights at Al-Aqsa.
The biggest political beneficiary of these provocations is Itamar Ben Gvir, whose rising popularity is deeply tied to his aggressive stance on Al-Aqsa. His actions are both ideological and political, aimed at consolidating control over the mosque and mobilising his far-right base.
From Judaization to Annexation
Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, warned that what is taking place is far beyond symbolic gestures. He stated:
“This is a process of Judaizing the West Bank, Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and even the Ibrahimi Mosque. What we are witnessing is unprecedented settler colonial expansion.”
Barghouti warned that the recent Talmudic rituals performed by Ben Gvir are part of a broader plan to build the “Temple” on the ruins of Al-Aqsa. He characterised this as open annexation led by an extremist fascist government that shows no regard for international law.
According to Barghouti, only major military deterrence could force Netanyahu’s government to backtrack—an unlikely scenario. He instead called for a comprehensive boycott and sanctions campaign against Israel, stressing that the 57 Arab and Muslim countries bear the primary responsibility to take concrete action.
He concluded that Israel is pursuing a settler-colonial replacement project, aimed at eliminating the Palestinian people from their homeland, and is unconcerned with Arab or Muslim reactions.
Israeli Brutality Empowered by Silence
Dr. Mohamed Henid, professor at the Sorbonne University in France, echoed this alarm. He confirmed that Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Old City are under illegal occupation according to international law—but noted that Israel acts above the law, unchallenged.
Henid described the European official stance as complicit, serving the Zionist project, and questioned the baffling silence of Arab regimes, a silence that has even shocked many in the West. This silence, he warned, has only emboldened Israel’s brutality and accelerated the erasure of the Palestinian people.
He added that Western calls to revive the two-state solution are mere attempts to pacify public opinion, while Arab regimes prioritise their own survival and interests—effectively abandoning Palestine. According to Henid, no practical basis remains for a viable Palestinian state under current conditions.
