The Jerusalem Governorate has issued a stark warning regarding a campaign led by so-called "Temple Groups," in coordination with political figures within the Israeli occupation government. The campaign calls for a forced incursion into the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday, May 15, 2026. This move is viewed as a dangerous escalation aimed at altering the established historical and legal status quo of the mosque and setting unprecedented religious precedents.
اضافة اعلان
Unprecedented Friday Escalation
In a statement released Monday, the Governorate emphasized that specifically choosing a Friday—a day when Al-Aqsa is traditionally closed to settler incursions—reveals a clear intent to impose a new reality by force. This would be a first since the occupation of Jerusalem in 1967.
Historical Context and Timing
The calls coincide with several sensitive occasions:
"Jerusalem Day": Marking the 28th of the Hebrew month of Iyar, commemorating the 1967 occupation of East Jerusalem (including Al-Aqsa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre).
78th Anniversary of the Nakba: The overlap of these dates significantly increases the potential for regional escalation.
Flag March: The day is typically marked by provocative marches and assaults against residents in the Old City.
Organized Provocations
The Governorate detailed several organized efforts within this campaign:
Direct Lobbying: The organization "Beyadenu" distributed the personal phone number of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, urging settlers to demand he open the mosque for Friday incursions to frame the decision as "popular demand."
Political Backing: Likud MK Amit Halevi has publicly demanded access for settlers, citing a "Jewish right" and linking it to what he calls a "clash of civilizations." Halevi has previously proposed plans to spatially divide the mosque between Muslims and Jews.
The Flag Pledge: "Beyadenu" launched a petition where settlers pledge to raise the Israeli flag inside the Al-Aqsa courtyards on Friday, May 15.
Risks and Precedents
The statement noted that while settlers have never successfully stormed Al-Aqsa on a Friday since 1967, recent measures—including a 40-day closure spanning several Fridays during and after Ramadan—have emboldened these groups.
The Governorate recalled the 2019 "Eid Wound", where an incursion was permitted on the first day of Eid al-Adha (coinciding with the anniversary of the "Destruction of the Temple"), leading to violent clashes after the Prime Minister initially claimed such a move would be prevented.
Official Stance
The Jerusalem Governorate stressed that these movements are part of a systematic policy to impose temporal and spatial division and undermine Islamic guardianship.
The Governorate's Call to Action:
To Palestinians: Mobilize and maintain a continuous presence at Al-Aqsa Mosque to thwart these plans.
To the International Community: Exert pressure to stop these violations and uphold human rights responsibilities.
The statement concluded by reaffirming that Al-Aqsa Mosque remains an exclusive right of Muslims, and all attempts to impose a new reality by force are rejected and condemned.
Source: Wafa
