Israel’s closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque is an act of war
Israel’s Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque is an Act of War
Immediate Response to Conflict
Just days after the US-Israeli offensive against Iran began, Israeli forces swiftly closed two significant religious sites: the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. Worshipers were removed by occupation troops, with the actions framed as necessary wartime precautions.
Exposure of Vulnerability
Israel’s own state comptroller’s report reveals a stark reality: in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, nearly half of the population lacks access to bomb shelters. This absence of safe havens means Palestinians have no refuge during air strikes, undermining claims of protective measures.
Religious Erasure and Strategic Control
Israeli authorities’ tactics extend beyond physical security. By restricting access to mosques, they aim to reshape religious identity, aligning Islamic sites with Zionist narratives. For instance, Al-Aqsa is rebranded as the Temple Mount, while the Ibrahimi Mosque is labeled the Cave of the Patriarchs. This linguistic shift serves as a psychological tool, erasing traditional significance.
Isolation as a Preemptive Move
The closures during Ramadan are not incidental. They function as a live test of long-term control strategies. By isolating worshippers and limiting mosque access, Israel prepares for future actions—potentially sealing the site permanently and seizing its authority. This maneuver also weakens the Islamic waqf, leaving it in a passive role as Israeli forces dictate operational terms.
Historical Context of Control
Over the past decade, Israel has systematically undermined the waqf’s autonomy. In 2017, following a fatal attack on Israelis at the Lion’s Gate, the mosque was shut for days, with metal detectors installed. Public pressure eventually led to the reversal of this policy. A similar pattern emerged in 2020, when the mosque remained closed for two months during Ramadan despite its open-air nature, which could have accommodated social distancing.
Ramadan as a Tactical Stage
During the holy month, Israeli authorities have intensified their grip. Entry to Al-Aqsa was capped at 10,000 worshippers, prioritizing elderly men and women, while children under 12 required a relative’s accompaniment. This selective access, justified under security concerns, reflects a broader effort to alter the site’s religious dynamics.
From a month of heightened sensitivity, it has become a month for testing the machinery of elimination.
Escalating Aggression
Recent Ramadan restrictions include halting essential supply deliveries and replacing guards, further pressuring the site. Concurrently, calls from Israeli rabbis and activists for ritual animal slaughter at Al-Aqsa during Passover signal a deliberate campaign to challenge the status quo. These actions collectively aim to diminish the mosque’s role as a Muslim prayer space, asserting Zionist dominance over its future.
