Jewish activist entries to Al-Aqsa surged 22% in 2025, new report reveals

More than 65,000 Jewish activists entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem during 2025, marking a 22% increase over the previous year, according to the International Jerusalem Foundation's annual report, prepared using Islamic Waqf Administration data. The report documented 65,364 entries, with visits involving Israeli political figures also doubling from nine incidents in 2024 to 20 in 2025—including far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and several parliament members.

Changing Status Quo

The report detailed new Israeli measures affecting site access: extended visiting hours, increased group sizes from 120 to 200 participants, and shortened intervals between entries. These steps were described as attempts to alter the longstanding status quo at the holy compound and impose a new reality there. Israeli data indicated even higher figures—76,448 visitors, a 31% increase—underscoring the accelerating tempo of entries.

Broader East Jerusalem Pressures

Beyond Al-Aqsa, the report highlighted that 14,929 Palestinians lost residency or identity documents between 1967 and 2024. Education pressures include a shortage of about 1,500 classrooms, with roughly 27% of Palestinian students aged 6-17 enrolled in Israeli curriculum. Approximately 77% of Jerusalem families live below the poverty line. The foundation warned of intensified "Judaization" policies targeting the city's identity, reflecting Palestinian concerns that Israel is accelerating measures to reshape East Jerusalem and erase its Arab and Islamic character. Palestinians, citing international resolutions rejecting Israel's 1967 occupation and 1980 annexation, continue to regard East Jerusalem as their future capital.