Ben-Gvir, over 1,200 Israeli occupiers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque as Palestinian shops forced to close for ‘Jewish prayers’

Extremist Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and over 1,200 occupiers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday, as Israeli authorities forced Palestinian businesses in the Old City to close to allow Jewish prayers during the Sukkot holiday, Anadolu reports.

The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem said in a brief statement that 1,222 Israeli occupiers had entered the mosque since Monday morning.

Videos posted by occupiers on social media showed scores of occupiers storming the flashpoint site and performing Talmudic rituals, prayers and singing. The rituals were concentrated in the eastern part of the mosque compound.

Ben-Gvir stormed the mosque under heavy police protection without prior announcement, as he has done repeatedly since taking office in late 2022, according to a Waqf official who spoke to Anadolu on condition of anonymity.

On Sunday, Ben-Gvir stormed the Buraq Wall (Western Wall), the western portion of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and performed Talmudic rituals, according to footage published on US social media company X. Around 1,500 Israeli occupiers also raided the site on the same day.

The incursion triggered widespread condemnation, with Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh describing it as “playing with fire and a dangerous provocation to the feelings of Muslims around the world.” He also warned of a “religious war” that Israel was seeking to ignite in the region.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world’s third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area Temple Mount, claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

The flashpoint site has seen an increase in occupier incursions since the start of the Jewish holidays, accompanied by Talmudic rituals and prayers inside its courtyards under heavy protection from Israeli police and forces.

The Jewish holiday period began with Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 12-13, followed by Yom Kippur on Sept. 21-22. Sukkot runs from Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, followed by Simchat Torah on Oct. 3.

READ: Ekrima Sabri says Israeli activities during Jewish holidays aim to assert Sovereignty over Al-Aqsa

Closures

Monday’s intrusion came as Israeli authorities forced dozens of Palestinian shopkeepers to close their businesses and residents to remain inside their homes in the Cotton Merchants Market, which leads to Al-Aqsa Mosque, to allow Jewish prayers during Sukkot.

“Dozens of Palestinian owners of shops, cafes and restaurants in the Cotton Merchants Market in Jerusalem’s Old City were forced to close them during the Jewish Sukkot holiday to make way for Jewish prayers in the market,” the Association for Civil Rights in Israel said in a statement.

The authorities also ordered around 200 Palestinians living along the prayer route not to leave their homes while the prayers were being held, the association said.

Traders said this was the first time they had been ordered to close their businesses throughout the holiday period, with previous closures limited to certain hours.

The Cotton Merchants Market lies on a route leading to Al-Aqsa Mosque and contains 56 shops, cafes and restaurants, according to the association.

Israeli police informed traders of the closure by phone last week before officers later visited the businesses and told owners directly that they had to close during most days of the holiday, it said.

Police did not provide a written order or instructions regarding the closures, telling traders only that the measure was intended to allow Jewish prayers to be held in the market, according to the association.

“The situation did not involve a security event that would justify restrictions of such severity for consecutive days,” it said, adding that police could instead alter the prayer route, shorten prayer hours or deploy forces to protect traders and their businesses.

“It is unacceptable for dozens of Palestinian traders to be forced to close their businesses throughout the holiday period and for hundreds of residents to be told to remain in their homes in order to hold Jewish prayers in the Old City,” said Tal Hassin, an attorney with the association.

“The police are turning things upside down: Instead of protecting residents, ensuring the continuation of their daily lives and protecting their property, they are making them pay the price,” she added. “These instructions must be canceled immediately and the businesses allowed to open.”

​​​​​​​Palestinians regard East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, as the capital of a future Palestinian state, based on international resolutions that do not recognize Israel’s occupation of the city in 1967 or its annexation in 1980.

READ: Hamas marks Al-Aqsa Intifada anniversary, urges Arab, Muslim support for Palestinians