Jerusalem Governorate warns of plans to slaughter sacrifices inside Al-Aqsa and considers its closure a dangerous precedent

The Jerusalem Governorate issued a strongly worded statement warning of the escalation of calls from extremist Jewish groups aiming to slaughter sacrifices inside the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Governorate clarified that these movements coincide with the Hebrew Passover holiday scheduled for next April, indicating systematic plans to change the status quo in the Noble Sanctuary.

The Governorate affirmed that the so-called 'Temple organizations' have already begun to intensify their propaganda campaigns using artificial intelligence techniques to produce inciting videos and images. These campaigns aim to mobilize settlers and push them to forcibly impose the rituals of slaughtering the 'Passover sacrifice' inside the Mosque, which represents a blatant violation of the sanctity of the place.

The statement considered these calls a dangerous and unprecedented escalation in the incitement discourse led by extremist institutions against Islamic holy sites. The Governorate pointed out that the 'Temple organization' openly seeks to establish their alleged temple on the ruins of Al-Aqsa Mosque, exploiting the current political and security conditions to pass their agendas.

In a related context, the Governorate noted that the occupation authorities continue to impose a comprehensive closure on Al-Aqsa Mosque since February 28th. The authorities cite the state of emergency resulting from the ongoing military confrontation, which has deprived thousands of worshippers from performing their religious rituals in the Mosque.

The Governorate stressed that preventing the performance of Taraweeh prayers during the last ten days of the blessed month of Ramadan is a dangerous historical precedent that has not occurred since the occupation of the city in 1967. This measure reflects the extent of the restrictions imposed on Palestinians and their prevention from accessing their first Qibla during their holiest times.

Local sources also revealed that extremist groups are promoting flimsy justifications for the continued closure of the Mosque, including the claim of a lack of safe shelters inside the Sanctuary. These groups aim to keep the Mosque closed to Muslims until the end of the war, to ensure their absence during Jewish holidays.

The Governorate clarified that the Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem is the sole and legitimate authority responsible for managing the affairs of Al-Aqsa Mosque and opening or closing its doors. It affirmed that any intervention by the occupation authorities in these powers is a violation of the internationally recognized historical and legal status in occupied Jerusalem.

The statement mentioned that the 'Temple Institute' recently published provocative images showing a banquet for an animal sacrifice with a religious altar placed virtually in front of the Dome of the Rock. The publications included inciting phrases indicating the possibility of building the altar and renewing the sacrifice rituals in a very short time, which reinforces fears of a field explosion.

Reports indicated that dangerous precedents occurred during the past year 2025, where three actual attempts were detected to smuggle animals or parts of them into Al-Aqsa Mosque. These attempts reflect the determination of extremist groups to break the established rules and impose a new reality inside the Mosque by force and intimidation.

This escalation comes at a time when Palestinians are suffering from severe military restrictions and checkpoints preventing their access from various areas of the West Bank to Jerusalem and Hebron. These measures have led to the emptying of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Ibrahimi Mosque of worshippers at the peak of the religious season, which sparked a wide wave of anger.

Experts in Jerusalem affairs concluded by warning that the continuation of these policies represents a blatant violation of freedom of worship guaranteed by international laws. They warned that continued incitement to slaughter sacrifices could lead to uncontrollable repercussions in the entire region, given the status of Al-Aqsa in the hearts of Muslims.

What is happening in Al-Aqsa Mosque is part of a political and ideological path that seeks to change the religious, historical, and legal reality in the Noble Sanctuary of Jerusalem.