OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)
Amidst the ongoing Israeli acts of genocide crimes in the Gaza Strip, extremist Jewish groups are attempting to seize control of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem and present scenarios for its control and demolition.
Under the name Al-Qawasim March the fascist Israeli occupation authorities have officially licensed a demonstration for Jewish extremists in Jerusalem on December 7th, in which they will demand full control over the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem and the removal of Islamic endowments’ authority over the holy Islamic compound.
The Temple Group announced that it is planning to carry out the largest assault of its kind on the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque on Thursday, December 7th, on the second month’s anniversary of the Battle of the Al-Aqsa Flood. Their aim is to desecrate the Mosque and perform Jewish hymns there in celebration of the Jewish Festival of Lights (Hanukkah), in absolute disregard to any Arab or Islamic reactions.
Hamas Movement said in a statement that the official permit granted by the fascist occupation government for a demonstration by Jewish extremists in Jerusalem on December 7th is a dangerous attempt to impose Israeli control over the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, “which our people will not allow at any cost.”
“Our Palestinian people in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the 1948 occupied territories are called upon to mobilize and stand steadfast in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and to confront these criminal schemes”, Hamas added.
It said, “The Arab and Islamic nations, as well as our brothers in the Hashemite Kingdom and based on their guardianship over the Islamic sanctities in Jerusalem, are urged to take immediate and urgent action and fulfill their historical responsibilities towards what is happening in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, the site of the Night Journey of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the first Qibla of Muslims.”
What is the Temple Group?
It is an extremist faction within the Israeli right-wing that considers the establishment of the alleged Temple in place of Al-Aqsa Mosque as the essence of Jewish existence on the Palestinian land.
The extremist group has benefited from a judicial decision issued by Israeli courts in 2003, which legalized the entry of settlers to the Al-Aqsa Mosque individually or collectively. They have indeed begun openly performing Talmudic prayers inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The group includes followers of the nationalist-religious movement that sees the fusion of Jewish nationalism and religion as the essence of Judaism. They have had political representation in the Israeli Knesset since 1984, and they obtained seats in the Knesset at that time. Over time, their presence in the Knesset has increased, and in the latest Israeli elections in March 2020, they secured 18 seats.
Their 15% presence in the Israeli Knesset has given them a strong motivation to repeatedly invade the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque since 2015 until today. This group has formed a close alliance with the current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who grants them unconditional support and provides them with the legal capacity to do as they please.
Palestinian reactions
The Palestinians have not stood still in the face of the Temple Group’s incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque. In 2015, the Palestinians launched an Intifada in response to the repeated invasions, and there were numerous individual stabbing attacks targeting the occupiers.
On July 14, 2017, the people of Jerusalem rose up against the Israeli authorities’ decision to install electronic gates at the entrances to the Al-Aqsa Mosque to control it and allow Temple Group followers to pray inside. The people of Jerusalem rejected this decision and refused to comply with it, leading to what became known as the “Gate Crisis.” In the face of the steadfastness and determination of the people of Jerusalem, the Israeli authorities were forced to retreat and remove the electronic gates on July 24, 2017.
In a related context, the Israeli occupation police closed the Golden Gate or the Gate of Mercy (Bab al-Rahma) in 2003 to build a Jewish synagogue in its place and prepare for the physical division of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The prayer hall at the site remained closed until 2019 when the occupation police put iron chains on this gate. The Palestinians realized the importance of this prayer hall and mobilized to liberate and reclaim it. On February 22, 2019, Palestinians successfully reclaimed the Bab al-Rahma prayer area after 16 years of closure.
The new threat
After the Temple Group called for the widest invasion of the Al-Aqsa Mosque on December 7, 2023, Palestinian activists and youth movements have announced their readiness to mobilize and head towards the Al-Aqsa Mosque to defend it and rebuild it. They are demanding an escalation of confrontation and presence at the closest point to the Mosque.
It is expected that tomorrow, Thursday, a new Palestinian uprising will take place, marking a new chapter in the history of Palestinian struggle against the Israeli occupation forces and settler leaders in the first Qibla for Muslims. No one will be preoccupied with anything other than supporting their Mosque or defending the holiest site in Palestine, especially since the occupation intends to desecrate it.
