Israeli settlers enter Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under police guard for Hanukkah

Dozens of Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday, performing religious rituals under the protection of Israeli police to mark the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The eight-day festival runs from December 14 to 22 this year.

Site's Significance and Tensions

The Al-Aqsa Mosque complex is Islam's third holiest site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, which they believe was the location of two ancient temples. These visits by settlers, described as "illegal" by critics, are a recurring source of tension. According to an Anadolu correspondent on the scene, the settlers conducted Talmudic rituals at the site under heavy police guard.

Historical and Political Context

Israel seized East Jerusalem, including the Old City where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. In 1980, Israel annexed the entire city in a move that has never been recognized by the international community, which largely considers East Jerusalem occupied territory. Türkiye, a steadfast defender of Palestinian rights and the historical status quo of Jerusalem's holy sites, consistently condemns such incursions, viewing them as provocations that undermine peace and violate international law.