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Egypt Independent
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Thousands of Jewish worshippers visit Jerusalem holy site as Israeli lawmaker boasts ‘Arabs aren't allowed to come near us'
CNN — Thousands of Jewish worshippers visited a Jerusalem holy site during the holiday of Passover as far-right Israeli lawmaker Zvi Sukkot boasted, 'Arabs aren't allowed to come near us.' Sukkot, a member of the Religious Zionism party, visited the al-Aqsa compound in the Old City of Jerusalem on Thursday morning, prostrating himself on the ground and praying in violation of the delicate status quo agreement that governs the site. 'Jews are bowing, praying, holding minyanim here,' said Sukkot, referencing a quorum of ten men required for certain Jewish worship. 'Arabs aren't allowed to come near us at all,' the lawmaker added, with Israeli security forces walking amongst the worshippers around him. While anyone can visit the al-Aqsa compound, only Muslims are allowed to pray there, according to the status quo agreement, which has existed since Israel captured the Old City of Jerusalem in 1967. The site, which is known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the holiest place in Judaism. It is known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif, and it is the third holiest site in Islam. But the status quo agreement has increasingly been tested and, in some cases, deliberately challenged. Far-right lawmakers in Israel have made repeated visits to the holy site, encouraging other Jewish worshippers to do the same. Some of these visits have sparked protests, as well as diplomatic fallout across the region. Video from the scene on Thursday showed Sukkot surrounded by a group of Jewish men openly praying while an Israeli police officer walked around in the background, not disturbing or interrupting the prayer session. Sukkot said it was far different to his last visit to the site 14 years ago. Jewish worshippers at the al-Aqsa complex on April 17, 2025. Gazi Samad/Anadolu/Getty Images 'Back then, they used to watch you closely – if they saw you whisper a prayer, they'd jump on you. What's happening now is an incredible miracle,' he said. Sukkot's visit comes amid a surge of Jewish worshippers going to the holy site to pray, according to the Temple Mount Administration, which said 6,315 worshippers had so far attended prayer sessions since Passover began last weekend. The organization, which filmed the video of Sukkot at the compound, added that a daily record was set on Thursday, with 2,106 attending. Despite the moniker, the Temple Mount Administration is not a government agency. Instead, it is a right-wing organization working to organize and promote Jewish prayer at the holy site. They described the number of visitors as 'historic records,' saying it was a 37% increase from last year. Far-right Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, who leads the Jewish Power party, praised Sukkot's visit. 'What wasn't done in 30 years is being done on my watch, and I'm grateful to have been granted, by God's grace, the privilege of leading this tremendous change,' he said on social media. Ben Gvir has frequently visited the holy site, making clear his intentions to allow and promote Jewish worship, despite the prohibition. Following a visit in December, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office was forced to put out a statement saying, 'The status quo at Temple Mount has not changed.'
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands of Jewish worshippers visit Jerusalem holy site as Israeli lawmaker boasts ‘Arabs aren't allowed to come near us'
Thousands of Jewish worshippers visited a Jerusalem holy site during the holiday of Passover as far-right Israeli lawmaker Zvi Sukkot boasted, 'Arabs aren't allowed to come near us.' Sukkot, a member of the Religious Zionism party, visited the al-Aqsa compound in the Old City of Jerusalem on Thursday morning, prostrating himself on the ground and praying in violation of the delicate status quo agreement that governs the site. 'Jews are bowing, praying, holding minyanim here,' said Sukkot, referencing a quorum of ten men required for certain Jewish worship. 'Arabs aren't allowed to come near us at all,' the lawmaker added, with Israeli security forces walking amongst the worshippers around him. While anyone can visit the al-Aqsa compound, only Muslims are allowed to pray there, according to the status quo agreement, which has existed since Israel captured the Old City of Jerusalem in 1967. The site, which is known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the holiest place in Judaism. It is known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif, and it is the third holiest site in Islam. But the status quo agreement has increasingly been tested and, in some cases, deliberately challenged. Far-right lawmakers in Israel have made repeated visits to the holy site, encouraging other Jewish worshippers to do the same. Some of these visits have sparked protests, as well as diplomatic fallout across the region. Video from the scene on Thursday showed Sukkot surrounded by a group of Jewish men openly praying while an Israeli police officer walked around in the background, not disturbing or interrupting the prayer session. Sukkot said it was far different to his last visit to the site 14 years ago. 'Back then, they used to watch you closely – if they saw you whisper a prayer, they'd jump on you. What's happening now is an incredible miracle,' he said. Sukkot's visit comes amid a surge of Jewish worshippers going to the holy site to pray, according to the Temple Mount Administration, which said 6,315 worshippers had so far attended prayer sessions since Passover began last weekend. The organization, which filmed the video of Sukkot at the compound, added that a daily record was set on Thursday, with 2,106 attending. Despite the moniker, the Temple Mount Administration is not a government agency. Instead, it is a right-wing organization working to organize and promote Jewish prayer at the holy site. They described the number of visitors as 'historic records,' saying it was a 37% increase from last year. Far-right Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, who leads the Jewish Power party, praised Sukkot's visit. 'What wasn't done in 30 years is being done on my watch, and I'm grateful to have been granted, by God's grace, the privilege of leading this tremendous change,' he said on social media. Ben Gvir has frequently visited the holy site, making clear his intentions to allow and promote Jewish worship, despite the prohibition. Following a visit in December, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office was forced to put out a statement saying, 'The status quo at Temple Mount has not changed.'
CNN
17-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Thousands of Jewish worshippers visit Jerusalem holy site as Israeli lawmaker boasts ‘Arabs aren't allowed to come near us'
Thousands of Jewish worshippers visited a Jerusalem holy site during the holiday of Passover as far-right Israeli lawmaker Zvi Sukkot boasted, 'Arabs aren't allowed to come near us.' Sukkot, a member of the Religious Zionism party, visited the al-Aqsa compound in the Old City of Jerusalem on Thursday morning, prostrating himself on the ground and praying in violation of the delicate status quo agreement that governs the site. 'Jews are bowing, praying, holding minyanim here,' said Sukkot, referencing a quorum of ten men required for certain Jewish worship. 'Arabs aren't allowed to come near us at all,' the lawmaker added, with Israeli security forces walking amongst the worshippers around him. While anyone can visit the al-Aqsa compound, only Muslims are allowed to pray there, according to the status quo agreement, which has existed since Israel captured the Old City of Jerusalem in 1967. The site, which is known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the holiest place in Judaism. It is known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif, and it is the third holiest site in Islam. But the status quo agreement has increasingly been tested and, in some cases, deliberately challenged. Far-right lawmakers in Israel have made repeated visits to the holy site, encouraging other Jewish worshippers to do the same. Some of these visits have sparked protests, as well as diplomatic fallout across the region. Video from the scene on Thursday showed Sukkot surrounded by a group of Jewish men openly praying while an Israeli police officer walked around in the background, not disturbing or interrupting the prayer session. Sukkot said it was far different to his last visit to the site 14 years ago. 'Back then, they used to watch you closely – if they saw you whisper a prayer, they'd jump on you. What's happening now is an incredible miracle,' he said. Sukkot's visit comes amid a surge of Jewish worshippers going to the holy site to pray, according to the Temple Mount Administration, which said 6,315 worshippers had so far attended prayer sessions since Passover began last weekend. The organization, which filmed the video of Sukkot at the compound, added that a daily record was set on Thursday, with 2,106 attending. Despite the moniker, the Temple Mount Administration is not a government agency. Instead, it is a right-wing organization working to organize and promote Jewish prayer at the holy site. They described the number of visitors as 'historic records,' saying it was a 37% increase from last year. Far-right Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, who leads the Jewish Power party, praised Sukkot's visit. 'What wasn't done in 30 years is being done on my watch, and I'm grateful to have been granted, by God's grace, the privilege of leading this tremendous change,' he said on social media. Ben Gvir has frequently visited the holy site, making clear his intentions to allow and promote Jewish worship, despite the prohibition. Following a visit in December, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office was forced to put out a statement saying, 'The status quo at Temple Mount has not changed.'
CNN
17-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Thousands of Jewish worshippers visit Jerusalem holy site as Israeli lawmaker boasts ‘Arabs aren't allowed to come near us'
Thousands of Jewish worshippers visited a Jerusalem holy site during the holiday of Passover as far-right Israeli lawmaker Zvi Sukkot boasted, 'Arabs aren't allowed to come near us.' Sukkot, a member of the Religious Zionism party, visited the al-Aqsa compound in the Old City of Jerusalem on Thursday morning, prostrating himself on the ground and praying in violation of the delicate status quo agreement that governs the site. 'Jews are bowing, praying, holding minyanim here,' said Sukkot, referencing a quorum of ten men required for certain Jewish worship. 'Arabs aren't allowed to come near us at all,' the lawmaker added, with Israeli security forces walking amongst the worshippers around him. While anyone can visit the al-Aqsa compound, only Muslims are allowed to pray there, according to the status quo agreement, which has existed since Israel captured the Old City of Jerusalem in 1967. The site, which is known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the holiest place in Judaism. It is known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif, and it is the third holiest site in Islam. But the status quo agreement has increasingly been tested and, in some cases, deliberately challenged. Far-right lawmakers in Israel have made repeated visits to the holy site, encouraging other Jewish worshippers to do the same. Some of these visits have sparked protests, as well as diplomatic fallout across the region. Video from the scene on Thursday showed Sukkot surrounded by a group of Jewish men openly praying while an Israeli police officer walked around in the background, not disturbing or interrupting the prayer session. Sukkot said it was far different to his last visit to the site 14 years ago. 'Back then, they used to watch you closely – if they saw you whisper a prayer, they'd jump on you. What's happening now is an incredible miracle,' he said. Sukkot's visit comes amid a surge of Jewish worshippers going to the holy site to pray, according to the Temple Mount Administration, which said 6,315 worshippers had so far attended prayer sessions since Passover began last weekend. The organization, which filmed the video of Sukkot at the compound, added that a daily record was set on Thursday, with 2,106 attending. Despite the moniker, the Temple Mount Administration is not a government agency. Instead, it is a right-wing organization working to organize and promote Jewish prayer at the holy site. They described the number of visitors as 'historic records,' saying it was a 37% increase from last year. Far-right Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, who leads the Jewish Power party, praised Sukkot's visit. 'What wasn't done in 30 years is being done on my watch, and I'm grateful to have been granted, by God's grace, the privilege of leading this tremendous change,' he said on social media. Ben Gvir has frequently visited the holy site, making clear his intentions to allow and promote Jewish worship, despite the prohibition. Following a visit in December, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office was forced to put out a statement saying, 'The status quo at Temple Mount has not changed.'
Middle East Eye
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Huge surge of Jewish worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque as Muslims locked out
As hundreds of Jewish Israelis flocked in and out of Al-Aqsa Mosque on Wednesday, the Temple Mount Administration, the body responsible for the entry of Jewish worshippers to the holy site, took to X to celebrate what it called 'an amazing surge'. According to the Temple Mount Administration, named after the Jewish term for the raised plateau Al-Aqsa Mosque stands on, 4,209 Jews entered the courtyards to pray since the Passover holiday began on Saturday. That's more than all the Jewish worshippers that visited during holidays last year. Aouni Bazbaz, director of international affairs at the Islamic Waqf, the organisation that administers Al-Aqsa Mosque, confirmed to Middle East Eye that there has indeed been a surge in controversial Jewish religious visits. The Chief Rabbinate of Jerusalem has long declared Jewish worship on Temple Mount forbidden unless worshippers are "ritually pure", which is believed impossible under modern conditions. For decades Israel prohibited Jewish prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is one of the holiest sites in Islam. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters However, some ultranationalist settlers oppose this stance, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-right government has increasingly allowed and even encouraged Jewish prayer there. "These are frightening scenes," Bazbaz said. According to Bazbaz, such numbers have never been recorded before. In 2003, a total of 258 settlers entered the mosque's courtyards and were not allowed to openly pray. Today, "the numbers have risen exponentially", he said, with thousands making their way to the site. Bazbaz said 600 Jews entered Al-Aqsa on the first day of Passover and 1,150 and 1,745 in the following days. He estimated more than 2,000 came on Wednesday. Changing the Status Quo Some Israeli officials, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have openly called for Jewish prayer to be permitted at Al-Aqsa Mosque and changing the Status Quo that has regulated Jerusalem's holy sites for decades. The far-right minister has even been filmed entering the mosque on several occasions. His wife, Ayala Ben Gvir, celebrated the huge numbers of Jewish worshippers seen at Al-Aqsa by posting on X: 'Wow, what a day on the Temple Mount.' "Itamar's policy of authority and quiet from Muslim rioters, together with the struggle against religious discrimination against Jews, increases the number of pilgrims to the Temple Mount out of holiness and light," she added. On Thursday morning, Tzvi Succot, an MP with the far-right Religious Zionism party, also paid a visit. Succot, who was previously indicted for bowing down on the ground of Al-Aqsa, was filmed again prostrating - this time alongside a police escort. Explained: Why Jewish worship at Al-Aqsa Mosque is controversial Read More » "Fourteen years ago, I was here, I bowed for one second - and in an instant I was captured by the police. They took me to the station and arrested me," Succot recalled. "Today, Jews bow down, pray, hold minyanim [quorum] here, they don't let the Arabs get close to us, the Waqf doesn't come near us. I see this thing with tears in my eyes." Some Israeli settler groups, including the Temple Mount Administration, have called for the construction of a Jewish temple in place of Al-Aqsa Mosque. "With the help of God, we will merit the final redemption and the building of the temple,' Succot said. Bazbaz said the Waqf is 'dealing with something we have never ever dealt with before'. While Jewish prayer is increasingly permitted, heavy restrictions have been placed on Muslim worshippers. "Let's use the media phrase for what is happening: apartheid/segregation has become a historical and current reality on ground," Bazbaz told MEE. Bazbaz added that since Israel's war on Gaza began, the situation has worsened, with the Jewish religious practices being encouraged and even backed by the law. Mustafa Abu Sway, an Islamic scholar at Al-Aqsa, told MEE that Israel put "restrictions on Palestinian Muslims on a daily basis" in the mosque. "During the last month of Ramadan, the Israeli government decided that only 10,000 Palestinians could join Muslim worshippers at Al-Aqsa," he said. The Israelis restrict the entrance of "youngsters, women and even elderly depending on the timing". Losing control On Wednesday, Israel allowed groups of up to 180 Jewish worshippers to enter the mosque - far higher than the 30 previously permitted. "Until 2000, the Waqf was in complete control of who enters the Mosque and who doesn't," Abu Sway said. But since 2003 the Israelis are violating the Status Quo, he added, and "slowly the settlers increased their activity in the complex, to the degree that today they pray, dance and sing national songs". Itamar Ben Gvir thanked Succot and the thousands of Jews who have entered Al-Aqsa so far. "What they haven't done for 30 years was done on my watch and I'm happy that I was privileged by the grace of God to lead the huge change," Ben Gvir said. Jewish worshippers gather at the Lions' Gate in Jerusalem as they attempt to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque (Lubna Marsawa/MEE) According to Abu Sway, Ben Gvir "keeps violating the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque" and hopes to provoke Muslim riots there. "The violations keep worsening and things are escalating and changing by the day," said Abu Sway. "Al-Aqsa Mosque is a peaceful place of worship that is exclusively for Muslims." Interior Minister Moshe Arbel of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, which is a member of the coalition government, said "going up to the Temple Mount is contrary to Jewish law and the instructions of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel". He urged Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who heads Succot's Religious Zionism party, "to clarify to his party members the directives of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, which strictly prohibit going up to the Temple Mount".
