Palestinian officials in Jerusalem have condemned an attempt by extremist settlers to introduce animal sacrifices into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, calling it a dangerous escalation. Jordan has also denounced the repeated Israeli efforts to desecrate the holy site.
According to a statement released by the Jerusalem Governorate, eight settlers attempted to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque through the Lions’ Gate on Tuesday. The settlers were allegedly carrying a goat, three doves, and Jewish prayer items (Tefillin).
The Governorate described the incident as “a dangerous escalation within the continuous and escalating violations of the settlers.” They asserted that it was not merely an isolated incident but “part of an organized campaign to desecrate the sanctuary, Judaize it, and impose new colonial realities in favor of the Israeli occupation.”
The statement warned that these violations constitute blatant crimes and flagrant violations of all rules of international and humanitarian law, as well as a clear attack on the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Governorate reiterated that “the Al-Aqsa Mosque, with its entire area of 144 dunams, is a place of worship purely for Muslims, and that any attempts to impose the occupation’s sovereignty over the Al-Aqsa Mosque are null and void.”
They further alleged that these violations are carried out with the official support, incitement, and backing of the Israeli government. The Governorate indicated that the “animal sacrifice” represents, in the settlers’ ideology, “the offering of a sacrifice of goats or small lambs inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque” in an attempt to impose Torah rituals within the compound.
Reports indicate that Al-Aqsa Mosque guards were able to confront the settlers during their attempt to bring in the sacrifices, and Israeli police subsequently arrested them. According to the Jerusalem Governorate, 215 settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday, while 565 tourists entered the Mosque through the Israeli tourism portal.
DZWatch has learned that settlers managed to introduce animal sacrifices, a goat and three doves, into the Al-Aqsa Mosque through the Lions’ Gate and attempted to reach the Bab al-Rahma area before being confronted by guards.
Jordan has also condemned these attempts.
