Hundreds of Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Wednesday, September 30, under Israeli police protection during the Jewish festival of Sukkot. A Jerusalem Islamic Waqf official described the visits as a breach of the long-standing arrangements governing access and worship at the site.
Rising numbers during the holiday
The Waqf reported more than 1,500 visitors on Sunday, over 1,700 on Monday and more than 1,400 on Tuesday. The festival runs from September 26 to October 2. The figures underline the increased activity at one of Jerusalem’s most sensitive religious sites during the holiday period.
Why the site is sensitive
The compound is known to Muslims as Al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount. Under arrangements in place for decades, the Islamic Waqf administers the site, while Israeli authorities control access. Changes to access or worship practices can quickly raise tensions in Jerusalem and beyond.
The Waqf’s account reflects its concern that repeated group visits and rituals are changing the status quo. Israeli authorities have not been quoted here responding to this specific incident. The reported attendance figures and characterization of the visits are attributed to the Waqf official.
