Sheikh Ikrima Sabri: They crossed the red lines by performing ancient Talmudic religious rituals in an attempt to delude the world that Al-Aqsa is now under their control.

Rassem Obeidat: The process of total Judaization of Al-Aqsa is approaching, and there is a state of Arab and Islamic "death" that contributes to the implementation of Israeli plans.

Ismail Muslimani: The raids are not merely provocative acts, but rather part of a broader strategy aimed at Judaizing Jerusalem and changing its identity.

Dr. Talal Abu Afifa: Raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque have witnessed a significant escalation since Itamar Ben-Gvir's return to Netanyahu's government.

Tawfiq Taama: The incursions aim to gradually impose a fait accompli, and these policies are part of a larger plan aimed at displacing Jerusalemites from their city.

The past few days have witnessed an unprecedented escalation in settler incursions into the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque (both quantitatively and qualitatively), under the full sponsorship and extensive participation of leaders, ministers, and Knesset members. These incursions included Talmudic rituals and attempts to slaughter sacrificial animals, coinciding with the Jewish celebration of the so-called "Passover."

This escalation in Israeli violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque comes amidst a growing focus on the ongoing war of genocide and ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip, as well as political efforts to reach a truce that would halt the bloodshed and allow humanitarian aid to reach more than two million Palestinians living in hellish conditions. This is all part of an effort to establish a new reality at Al-Aqsa Mosque, leading to the imposition of a spatial division similar to that imposed at the Ibrahimi Mosque in the 1990s.

Clerics, writers, and analysts who spoke to Al-Quds said that settlers and Israeli extremists have crossed red lines by performing ancient Talmudic religious rituals in an attempt to delude the world that Al-Aqsa Mosque is now under their control. They emphasized that these incursions are not merely provocative acts, but rather part of a broader strategy aimed at Judaizing Jerusalem and changing its identity.

They noted that raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque have significantly escalated since Itamar Ben-Gvir's return to Netanyahu's government, emphasizing that these raids aim to gradually impose a fait accompli, and that these policies are part of a larger plan aimed at displacing Jerusalemites from their city.

Violating the Palestinian presence to please the extreme right

Sheikh Dr. Ekrima Sabri, head of the Supreme Islamic Council and preacher at Al-Aqsa Mosque, described the settlers' incursions during the Jewish Passover holiday as unprecedented. He said, "The city of Jerusalem has been transformed into a military barracks, and Israeli security forces have tightened the siege around the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, preventing Muslims from entering, thus paving the way for hundreds of settlers to storm and desecrate the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque."

Sabry emphasized that what is happening now is a violation and an emptying of the Palestinian presence, and is intended to please the extreme right so that they can play and riot as they please in the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque.

He said: "They have crossed red lines these days by performing ancient Talmudic religious rituals that provoke Muslims' feelings, in an attempt to delude the world that Al-Aqsa is now under their control."

Youth in Jerusalem rush to defend Al-Aqsa

Sheikh Sabri pointed out that on the first day of the Gaza war, we witnessed an escalation by the occupation, which exploited the situation and intensified its measures against worshippers. Meanwhile, we observed the enthusiasm of young people in Jerusalem who came out to defend Al-Aqsa Mosque, demonstrating their popular awareness and commitment to it.

He stressed that Jerusalem has been distinguished from other regions since the beginning of the Gaza War until today, as the occupation has exploited the wartime atmosphere to encroach on Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque.

He said, "It is true that during the month of Ramadan, under pressure from the masses, the occupation authorities backed down a bit and allowed thousands of worshippers to reach Al-Aqsa Mosque. But as soon as Ramadan ended, these authorities reimposed strict restrictions."

Sheikh Sabri pointed out that, with the recent Jewish holidays approaching, the occupation authorities have begun preventing thousands of young Muslims from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque. These aggressive measures are unacceptable and devoid of any right or legitimacy, as they constitute a blatant assault on the sanctity of the mosque.

Attack on Jordanian custodianship of Al-Aqsa

He said: "During the holy month of Ramadan, there was a large turnout from our people in the 1948 territories, and we thank them for their efforts. However, after Ramadan, this enthusiasm and turnout declined, particularly on Saturdays and Fridays, while extremist incursions occurred on other days as well."

He added: "The call must be directed - as the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, called - to all Muslims, to make their pilgrimage to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque."

He emphasized that these violations by the occupation constitute an assault on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the authority of the Islamic Waqf Department. They also represent an attempt to strip Al-Aqsa's guards, who are affiliated with the Islamic Waqf, of these powers, as their movement is paralyzed during Jewish holidays.

Sheikh Sabry concluded by saying, "This constitutes a blatant attack not only on Islamic endowments, but also on Jordanian custodianship of Al-Aqsa Mosque."

Raids with the participation of ministers and Knesset members

For his part, writer and political analyst Rasem Obeidat said that the repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque, with unprecedented numbers and official participation from ministers, Knesset members, and rabbis, are a clear indication of the growing threat posed by the occupation.

He added: These incursions come within the context of a systematic plan to Judaize Al-Aqsa Mosque, which goes beyond what is known as the temporal and spatial divisions, but rather impose new realities in Al-Aqsa, and change the religious, historical and legal character of Al-Aqsa, such that the Al-Aqsa Mosque is being transferred from its Islamic era to the Jewish era, and its special Islamic sanctity is being stripped away, in terms of the shared sanctity, Islamic-Jewish temporarily, in exchange for the Muslim sheikh a Jewish rabbi, and in exchange for the Muslim worshipper a Jewish worshipper and in exchange for the Muslim child a Jewish child.

Obaidat emphasized that the mastermind behind the project to Judaize Al-Aqsa Mosque is the so-called Jewish Minister of National Security, Ben-Gvir, who has stormed Al-Aqsa eight times since his appointment. He boasts that the Judaization and imposition of new realities at Al-Aqsa achieved during his tenure has not been achieved for 30 years. He also expresses his joy at the participation of Knesset members such as Zvi Sukkot and Amelet Halevi, and rabbis such as the extremist Rabbi Shimshon Elbaum and Arnon Segal, an activist in the so-called Temple Faithful group, in the storming operations.

Completion of the ritual of reviving the spiritual structure

Obaidat pointed out that the process of complete Judaization of Al-Aqsa is approaching, as is the case with the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. There is a state of Arab and Islamic "death" that contributes to the implementation of Israeli Judaization projects and plans. They have completed everything known as the rituals of reviving the spiritual temple: public individual and collective Talmudic and Torah prayers, epic prostration, the introduction of prayer shawls and black wraps, entering in the white garb of priests, the blowing of the trumpet, and the introduction of plant throne offerings into the heart of Al-Aqsa Mosque, consisting of saffron leaves, palm fronds, and dried citrus fruits. What remains for them is the introduction of what are known as Passover animal offerings and their slaughter in Al-Aqsa Mosque, as the final ritual of the "revival of the spiritual temple." After that, the transition will take place to practically establish the Third Temple, preceded by the establishment of a Jewish synagogue in the eastern region in place of the Bab al-Rahma prayer hall, and after that the slaughter of what is known as the red cow, five of which were brought from the American state of Texas, "bred" through genetic engineering. That cow, which had completed its legal age of "two years," was intended to be slaughtered on the summit of Mount Sinai.

Expect a tsunami of extremists storming Al-Aqsa

Obaidat confirmed that plans are currently underway to slaughter the cow in the heart of Al-Aqsa Mosque and scatter its blood over as many rabbis as possible, in order to circumvent the decision of the so-called Chief Rabbinate not to ascend to what is known as the Temple Mount, as they refuse to ascend without a clause to purify themselves from the impurity of graves. The ashes of the slaughtered cow will be scattered over as many rabbis as possible, to purify themselves from the impurity of graves.

He added: “We will witness a ‘tsunami’ of extremists storming Al-Aqsa. Instead of 100-150 settlers daily, the number will become 1,000-1,500 settlers daily. This means that the Judaization of Al-Aqsa and the threat to it have become serious and great. Arabs and Muslims will continue to repeat the lie of religious war and religious conflict, while they do not lift a finger regarding the place of ascension of their Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and their first qibla.”

Obaidat recalled what former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir said after Michael Rohan, a Jew of Australian origin, burned Al-Aqsa Mosque on August 21, 1969, including the historic pulpit of Saladin. She said that she stayed up all night crying, fearing for the fate of her country, fearing that it would be invaded by Arab and Islamic armies due to the desecration and burning of Al-Aqsa. When dawn broke and nothing had happened, she said: "Now we can do anything without fear, for this nation is a vocal phenomenon."

Changing the historical and legal status of Al-Aqsa Mosque

In turn, Ismail Muslimani, an expert on Israeli affairs, said that the repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound carry multiple messages and objectives, and lead to dangerous consequences on the religious, political, and social levels.

He added, "One of these messages is that the Israeli occupation, through these incursions, seeks to send a clear message that it is imposing its control over Jerusalem and Islamic holy sites. The incursions are used as a tool to provoke Palestinians and push them to react in ways that justify further repression."

Muslimani explained that the occupation aims to change the historical and legal status of Al-Aqsa Mosque, demonstrating clear Judaization intentions.

Regarding the objectives, he said, "The occupation seeks to divide Al-Aqsa Mosque between Muslims and Jewish settlers, as happened with the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron." He added, "Extremist groups seek to build the 'Temple' on the ruins of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is a long-term strategic goal."

He added that the raids also aim to undermine the morale of the Palestinians and weaken their steadfastness.

Regarding the consequences, Muslimani explained that these incursions lead to an escalation of tensions in Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories, increasing the likelihood of clashes.

He believes that the raids fuel religious conflict, threatening peace in the region.

In contrast, Muslimani said that these practices strengthen the Palestinians' steadfastness and unify their ranks in confronting the occupation.

Devotion to spatial and temporal division

He emphasized that the incursions are not merely provocative acts, but rather part of a broader strategy aimed at Judaizing Jerusalem and changing its identity. He noted that these repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound carry profound strategic, political, and religious dimensions and are used as a tool to achieve long-term goals.

He explained that one of the strategic dimensions is imposing spatial control, as the occupation seeks to change the status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque by dividing it temporally and spatially, paving the way for permanent control. He noted that these incursions are part of a broader strategy to Judaize Jerusalem and alter its historical identity.

He added, "The incursions aim to spread fear and frustration among Palestinians, weakening their ability to resist. The occupation uses these incursions as a means to demonstrate its strength and control to the international community."

Regarding the political dimensions, Maslamani noted that the Israeli government uses these incursions to gain support from extreme right-wing movements within Israel. They are also seen as a means of appeasing hardline religious groups pressing for their goals.

He added that the occupation, through these incursions, seeks to impose a new fait accompli, which will complicate any future negotiations on Jerusalem.

Building the "alleged temple" on the ruins of the mosque

He pointed to the religious dimensions, including the revival of biblical narratives, with extremist groups seeking to promote religious narratives calling for the construction of the "alleged temple" on the ruins of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

He explained that these narratives are used as a tool to justify the incursions before the Israeli and international community, noting that Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered a religious and cultural symbol for Palestinians and Muslims around the world, and targeting it is an attempt to undermine this symbolism.

Regarding the repercussions and consequences, Muslimani said that the raids lead to an escalation of tensions in Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories, increasing the likelihood of violent confrontations. He added that these tensions could spread to other countries, threatening the stability of the region.

He emphasized, however, that these incursions strengthen the Palestinians' steadfastness and unify their ranks in confronting the occupation. Consequently, Al-Aqsa Mosque becomes a symbol of resistance, which stimulates popular and international support for the Palestinian cause.

Muslimani considered the visit of Knesset members and Israeli officials, along with recent statements by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who said, "For the first time in 30 years, prayer, prostration, singing, and dancing are taking place at Al-Aqsa Mosque," a real threat to the status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and clearly demonstrates that Israel has violated international and historical laws governing the status of Jerusalem and its holy sites.

Concluding his statement to Al-Quds, Maslamani emphasized that the repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque are no longer merely provocative acts, but rather part of a systematic strategy aimed at changing the political and religious reality in the holy city. However, the steadfastness and resilience of the Palestinians, along with the growing international support for their cause, confirm that this strategy faces strong resistance and real challenges at the popular and diplomatic levels.

An international position that does not go beyond the limits of "condemnations and denunciations."

For his part, Dr. Talal Abu Afifa, a member of the General Secretariat of the General Union of Palestinian Writers and Authors, confirmed that raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque have witnessed a significant escalation since the return of Itamar Ben-Gvir to the Israeli government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu.

He pointed out that Ben-Gvir enjoys clear support from Netanyahu and the majority of the government's components in all his provocative actions and ongoing incitement against Jerusalemites and Palestinians in general.

Abu Afifa explained that the Israeli Prime Minister is counting on Ben-Gvir's support to prevent the collapse of his government, especially since Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party holds eight of the 14 seats it obtained through its alliance with Bezalel Smotrich. Conversely, Ben-Gvir needs Netanyahu's cover to continue his extremist policies under a government described as "entirely right-wing."

Abu Afifa criticized the international community's silence regarding the repeated violations taking place at Al-Aqsa Mosque and the genocide being perpetrated against people, trees, and stones in the Gaza Strip. He argued that the international stance does not go beyond "condemnations and denunciations," which have no impact on the ground.

Abu Afifa said: While European countries rushed to impose severe sanctions on Russia for its occupation of parts of Ukraine and the killing of hundreds of civilians, they continue to impose those sanctions to this day. What happened in Ukraine represents only 5% of the systematic destruction and killing that the Gaza Strip has suffered, without receiving similar deterrence from the international community.

Symbolic and strategic messages and goals

For his part, writer and researcher Tawfiq Ta'ma asserted that the ongoing incursions into the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlers are carried out under official sponsorship and with the support of the Israeli security and military establishment. They carry multiple messages and objectives, some symbolic and some strategic, that vary from period to period according to political and security circumstances.

Taama explained that Israel has been seeking for years to impose a temporal and spatial division at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and has already succeeded in imposing a kind of temporal division, setting specific times for settlers to enter.

He added that the next phase of this project involves attempting to implement spatial division, as previously occurred at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.

He pointed out that the continued incursions are part of a policy of gradually imposing a fait accompli, noting that the number of settlers invading the area is increasing daily, reaching hundreds on some days, which constitutes a dangerous precedent.

He emphasized that extremist ministers like Itamar Ben-Gvir use the Al-Aqsa issue to gain support from their far-right base, particularly during times of political tension or during elections, by flexing their muscles and asserting control over Jerusalem.

He also pointed out that these incursions aim to provoke Palestinians and drag them into confrontations, as worshippers and worshippers are assaulted and expelled from the mosque's courtyards to provide a safe environment for settlers to perform their religious rituals. This constitutes a blatant provocation to Muslims around the world.

Preventing influential Jerusalem figures from entering the mosque

Taama explained that the occupation authorities are preventing many influential Jerusalemite figures from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque, in an attempt to silence voices conveying the truth to the world. They also impose strict restrictions on Palestinian entry, sometimes extending to a six-month ban.

He added that these policies are part of a larger plan aimed at displacing Jerusalemites from their city, through revoking residency permits, confiscating homes, and demolishing real estate and industrial facilities under the pretext of lacking permits. This makes life in Jerusalem unbearable and forces Palestinians to forcibly leave.

Taama emphasized that extremist Jewish groups have clear ideological and religious motivations, through which they seek to demolish Al-Aqsa Mosque and build the so-called "Third Temple." He noted that extremist religious thought has become the dominant ideology within Israeli society, which is increasingly leaning toward the extreme right.

At the end of his statement to Al-Quds, Taama warned that the repetition of these incursions aims to make them "normal" and acceptable, not only to Palestinians but also to international public opinion, which has begun to treat these violations as ordinary events. He emphasized that this is extremely dangerous, as it reinforces the Israeli narrative, obscures the truth, and threatens the Palestinian presence in the Holy City.