Jerusalem Endowments: Settler incursions into Al-Aqsa are witnessing a noticeable increase
Agencies3 min read
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Mustafa Abu Sway, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites in Jerusalem, said on Monday that the frequency of settler incursions into the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque is witnessing a noticeable increase, pointing to the performance of Talmudic rituals in the courtyards of the mosque, especially in the eastern area.
Abu Sway added that about 1,100 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque last Sunday during the morning period, in addition to about 500 described as "tourists", noting that the number of settlers storming has risen from less than 6,000 in 2010 to about 66,000 in 2025.
He explained that the continuation of the increase at the current rates may lead to the number of intruders reaching about 100,000 annually within 3 or 4 years.
Abu Sway said that the occupation authorities prevent, at times of incursions, a number of Muslims from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque, pointing to the prevention of worshipers from entering during the noon prayer, coinciding with the permission of large numbers of settlers to enter.
Regarding the challenges facing the employees of the Jerusalem Endowments Department and the guards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Abu Sway explained that about 30 Endowment employees are prevented in some periods from entering the mosque for up to 6 months, considering that the decisions of prevention are issued by the police and not by the courts.
He pointed out that what is happening in the Al-Aqsa Mosque is documented and sent to the official bodies in Jordan, including the Ministry of Endowments and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting the existence of a Jordanian, Arab and Islamic diplomatic movement to deal with these developments.
Regarding settlement projects and changing the features of the surroundings of the Old City and the walls of Jerusalem, Abu Sway said that the changes have been ongoing since 1967, pointing to changing the names of sites and imposing the occupation narrative on geography, history and antiquities.
He added that some Israeli academics and archaeologists oppose some narratives and projects related to the surroundings of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City, affirming that the issue, in his opinion, goes beyond the scientific aspect to the existence of official policies behind these projects.
Abu Sway appreciated the position of His Majesty King Abdullah II towards Jerusalem, pointing out that the Islamic Endowments Council in Jerusalem appreciates his positions in international forums, especially his speech before the United Nations General Assembly, considering that these positions put the international community before its responsibilities towards Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
