Israel uses tensions with Iran to heighten control of mosque

Following Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem has been closed by Israel without any information regarding when the Islamic holy site will be reopened for Palestinian worshippers, according to Middle East Eye on June 13^th.

Director of international affairs, diplomacy, and tourism at the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, Aoun Bazbaz, expressed concern to Middle East Eye that Israeli airstrikes on Iran are being used as a pretext to take further control of al-Aqsa Mosque.

Bazbaz said that “the Israelis have claimed that the closure was to ‘protect the people’ – but only Waqf employees have been allowed to enter al-Aqsa since.” He emphasised that the real concern is that Israeli authorities failed to provide details on when it will reopen: “That uncertainty is deeply suspicious.”

He stated that “there’s no doubt that Israel is using the current war conditions to impose new restrictions and create new facts on the ground.” He continued: “While the world – and particularly the Islamic world – is focused on Gaza and Iran, Israel is quietly advancing its plans at al-Aqsa.”

The eastern section of the al-Aqsa complex, Bab al-Rahma, has been given another name and has been morphed into a de facto place of worship for Israeli settlers as if it were a tacit temple. Bazbaz said that “just yesterday, they [the settlers] were dancing there, thanking [National Security Minister] Ben Gvir for what he’s done at al-Aqsa.”

He is worried about the inability of the media to keep up with Israeli encroachments on the holy site as they have occurred at such a fast pace over the last six or seven months.

He said: “I told my wife yesterday, based on what I’ve seen recently, I wouldn’t be surprised if they soon force worshippers to book appointments through an app just to pray at noon or in the evening.”

Middle East Eye