Israel allows Jewish ritual at Al-Aqsa Mosque in unprecedented violation of status quo

Israeli authorities have formally permitted Jewish prayer inside Al-Aqsa Mosque, an unprecedented breach of the long-standing status quo governing the site. Palestinian sources from the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf reported that Israeli police allowed settlers to enter the mosque on Sunday, bringing siddurim and conducting group prayers.

While such actions have happened before, they typically did not receive official approval. The move represents a significant escalation of tensions at the holy site. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized the importance of the distinction between merely visiting the mosque and actively praying there. "When I come to your place as a visitor, you impose your rules on me," the source stated.

"But today, they come with their own rules. When the police officially allow that, it means, in one way or another, that you are allowing them to establish their own rules in the space. This is an official breach of the status quo."