Israel: Battle over Jerusalem mosque risks wider instability
Middle East analysts warn that reported efforts on 3rd June to alter custodianship of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound could accelerate changes to the status quo at one of the region’s most sensitive religious sites, according to The New Arab.
The United States and Israel are reportedly exploring plans that could end Jordan’s long-standing custodianship of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, according to the US, Jordanian and Palestinian officials. The reported proposal, said to have backing from US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, would dissolve the Jordanian-backed Islamic Waqf and transform the site into a multi-faith tourist destination. Many analysts warn such a move could upend a delicate arrangement that has governed arguably one of the world’s most contested religious sites for decades.
Under the longstanding status quo, non-Muslims are permitted to visit the site during designated hours but are not allowed to pray or observe their own religious practises there.
However, several Palestinian, Jordanian and Israeli affairs specialists argue that the status quo has already been gradually altered over recent years.
Jerusalem affairs researcher Ziad Abhais said Israel has increasingly shifted from managing access to exercising greater control over daily activity within the compound. According to his assessment, Jewish-Israeli presence has evolved from simple visitation towards organised worship. Analysts cited by The New Arab state that Israeli authorities now exercise growing influence over access arrangements, opening hours, movement restrictions and the activities of the Waqf employees.
Concerns intensified in July 2025 when Israel transferred administrative responsibilities at the Hebron site from Palestinian authorities to the religious council of the nearby settlement of Kiryat Arba. Palestinian officials described the move as the most significant alteration to the site’s administration in decades.
Other experts highlighted growing restrictions imposed on Palestinian worshippers while Jewish visits to the compound have increased. Notably during Ramadan, the Islamic holy month, Palestinian officials said large numbers of Muslim worshippers were prevented from entering the compound while Jewish visitors received extended access periods. The restrictions quickly prompted criticism from Palestinian officials, who argued such measures violated the sites historic and legal status.
The debate comes alongside a broader shift within Israeli politics, much of it fuelling far-right outrage.
According to some political commentators, senior Israeli figures including National Security Minister Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have openly, controversially so, advocated for stronger Israeli sovereignty over the compound, helping move ideas once considered fringe positions into the mainstream political discussion.
Yet, Jordan upholds its strong defence of its custodial role, which Amman says is protected by historical agreements and recognised under international arrangements. Former Jordanian legal affairs minister Ibrahim al-Jazi argued that any attempt to bypass the Waqf would violate both the constraints of international law and Jordan’s 1994 peace treaty with Israel.
Observers say the future of the Al-Aqsa compound now extends beyond questions of worship and administration, touching on wider disputes over sovereignty and the future of Jerusalem itself.
The New Arab, maghrebi.org
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