Some 4,397 Israeli settlers stormed Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque in January, says Palestinian Authority

LONDON: The Palestinian Authority has reported that 4,397 settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem in January.

The Jerusalem Governorate said that the figure indicated a significant escalation by Israeli settlers in their attempts to establish a new status quo while undermining the historic and legal status of the sacred site.

Settlers were sometimes accompanied by Israeli government officials, including the far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. In addition, 7,868 other individuals were permitted by Israeli authorities to enter the site in the “tourism” category, according to the WAFA News Agency.

The governorate reported that settlers had distributed Jewish prayer leaflets during tours, performed dances, and conducted the “epic prostration” ritual.

Israel’s Knesset has also sought to limit Muslim worshippers’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.