Settlers storm Al-Aqsa under police protection

Dozens of extremist Jewish settlers yesterday stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Mughrabi Gate amid tight security protection from Israeli police for the fifth time since the start of the Jewish holiday of Passover.

Israeli police stepped up their presence around Al-Aqsa Mosque to facilitate the settlers’ incursions while prevented Muslim worshippers under the age of 35 from entering the mosque.

Media coordinator at the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, Firas Al-Debes, told the Safa news site that 82 Jewish settlers stormed into Al-Aqsa Mosque and walked inside its courtyards amid heavy protection from Israeli forces.

He explained that the Al-Aqsa guards and worshipers tried to prevent settlers from performing Talmudic rituals but police escorted them away from the mosque.

Jerusalem District Police Chief Moshe Adri is reported to have joined the settlers who stormed the mosque.