Hamas, the Palestinian movement, has issued an appeal to Palestinians across the West Bank and Jerusalem to join a mass “pilgrimage” to Al-Aqsa Mosque against what it describes as “settler provocations” at Islam’s third holiest site. This appeal comes amid rising tensions in East Jerusalem where visits by Israeli settlers under police protection have led to clashes and caused fears of wider unrest.
Hamas issued a statement late Friday urging Palestinians to protect the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, in Jerusalem’s Old City, by gathering large numbers at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and perform a pilgrimage there in order to defend it from desecration by settlers and oppose the occupation’s schemes. “We call on our people to gather at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as soon as possible,” the statement read.
Hamas leaders stressed the need for peaceful but firm mobilization, regarding it as both spiritual and political acts of resistance. Additionally, they accused Israeli authorities of permitting incursions by hardline settler groups during Jewish religious celebrations into mosque compounds and compound mosques.
Increased Tensions in Jerusalem
This call follows several days of clashes between Palestinian worshippers and Israeli security forces at Al-Aqsa compound. Witnesses reported Israeli police firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds; several Palestinians were taken into custody as a result of these actions by Israeli security forces.
Israeli authorities insist that non-Muslim visits to the site are permitted under current arrangements, while Palestinian leaders consider these visits provocations intended to alter its religious and political character.
“The occupation is trying to impose its vision for Al-Aqsa on our people,” stated Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. “However, our people won’t stand for it.”
Regional and International Reactions
Hamas’ call has already drawn responses from other Palestinian factions. Islamic Jihad voiced its support, while the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah advised restraint and cautioned Israel not to allow settlers to “inflame the situation”.
Jordan, which serves as custodian of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, issued an appeal to Israel to respect the historic status quo and ensure peace at Al-Aqsa. Provocations at Al-Aqsa could trigger violent outbreaks throughout the Middle East region.
The United Nations also expressed concern. A spokesperson for the Secretary-General urged all sides to avoid further escalation, stressing that holy sites must be respected while religious freedom should be upheld.
Analysts see Hamas’s call for a pilgrimage as more than religious, as its call is being seen as an effort to galvanize Palestinian unity at a time of political division and deepening crisis in Gaza. By emphasizing Al-Aqsa as its focal point, “Hamas is tapping into one of the most sensitive unifying issues for Palestinians,” according to Khaled Hroub, an independent Middle East analyst based out of Doha.
Israeli officials fear that mass mobilizations could spark similar confrontations to past clashes in Jerusalem which quickly degenerated into widespread violence across West Bank and Gaza.
Look Ahead While its effect remains unpredictable, Al-Aqsa Mosque remains an emblem of national tensions that ensures tensions will remain elevated in the coming days. Political negotiations remain in limbo while security measures tighten; all this makes the prospect for renewed violence real.
Hamas’ latest call demonstrates just how central Al-Aqsa remains to Palestinian life and to regional unrest – it remains at the core of Israeli-Palestinian conflicts and can ignite regional strife at any moment.