Israel: regime to finance illegal settler incursions at Al-Aqsa Mosque

The Israeli regime will finance illegal settler incursions at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, Anadolu has reported, citing local media. This will be the first time that such incursions have been backed financially by the settler-colonial state.

According to the Israeli public broadcaster KAN, the office of Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu — an extremist known for being rabidly anti-Palestinian — will allocate two million NIS ($545,000) for the project which is expected to be implemented in the coming weeks.

The broadcaster added that the Heritage Ministry was in contact with the National Security Ministry headed by far-right extremist Itamar Ben-Gvir to obtain Israeli police permission for the settlers’ funded tours around Al-Aqsa.

Earlier on Monday, Ben-Gvir told Israeli Army Radio that his policy is to “allow Jews to perform prayers inside the Temple Mount [the name given by militant Jews to Al-Aqsa Mosque compound],” noting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knew his policy before forming the coalition government.

The announcement about regime funding for the settler incursions came despite repeated claims by Netanyahu to preserve the status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is the situation that existed before Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967. That dictates that the compound is under the control of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Religious Endowments, which is responsible for managing the mosque’s affairs.

However, in 2003, the Israeli authorities changed this status by allowing settlers to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque without the approval of the Islamic Waqf, which demands an end to these incursions.

Ben-Gvir claimed on Monday that Jews have the right to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying that he would build a synagogue at the flashpoint site. He has been condemned for his comments. It was the first time that the Israeli minister has spoken openly about building a synagogue inside the mosque. However, he has repeatedly called in recent months for allowing Jewish prayers at the site.

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