Why conflicts?
Israel, which began its occupation of East Jerusalem after the 1967 Six-Day War, has made continued efforts to impose full control over the area that includes Al-Aqsa. Israeli authorities allow Jewish believers to pray at the Western Wall. However, it is not allowed inside Al-Aqsa. One of the stated goals of radical Jewish groups is to seize control of Al Aqsa and build a shrine there.
In 1988, many pilgrims were injured in the violence by the Israeli army. Later, when Israel’s Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was the leader of the opposition, he arrived here in September 2000 accompanied by the armed forces and declared the ‘Temple Mount’ as their right. The Israeli government and radical Zionist groups see the atrocities against Al-Aqsa as an easy way to hurt the religious and cultural sentiments of the world’s Muslims and the Palestinian people.
What and where is Al Aqsa?
After the holy shrines of Mecca and Medina, the most important holy place for Muslims is the Al-Aqsa Mosque, or Baitul Muqaddis, in the heart of Jerusalem. Al Aqsa means Supreme. Al-Aqsa and its surrounding areas are described in the Qur’an as a blessed land. This is the first Qibla in Islamic history. Both Judeo-Christians regard this area as a holy land and make pilgrimages here.
Repeated every Ramadan
The Palestinian community gathers during Ramadan at Al Aqsa, which is considered their largest cultural center. However, over time, the Israeli government is looking for a way to prevent them from entering the mosque by imposing many restrictions.
●In Ramadan 2021, many people were injured when Israeli forces stormed the mosque in continuation of an attempt to forcibly evict Palestinian residents of the Sheikh Jarrah area next to Al-Aqsa.
●Israeli forces also stormed the mosque last Ramadan following a series of attacks in the occupied West Bank that left 36 people dead. 170 pilgrims were injured in the violence.
● This past Wednesday, the new conflicts started when the Israeli forces forcibly removed the believers who were praying in the mosque in order to allow space and time for the Jewish pilgrims. The army claims that they entered the scene to drive out the rioters who had stayed inside the mosque with stones, sticks and firecrackers posing as worshippers. However, eyewitnesses stated that the people who were performing prayers were attacked unilaterally with explosives and lathis. About 400 Palestinians were detained by Israeli authorities.