180 Jewish worshippers allowed to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque for first time

Israeli security officials on Wednesday permitted the entry of 180 Jewish worshippers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, while simultaneously barring Muslim worshippers from accessing the holy site.

This marked the first time such a large number of Jewish worshippers were allowed into the site, which is referred to as the Temple Mount by Israelis.

Previously, Israeli authorities had restricted Jewish visits to a maximum of 30 individuals at a time.

Videos and images circulated on social media showed dozens of Jewish worshippers entering the compound, while celebrations took place at Lion’s Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City.

Internationally recognised as occupied Palestinian territory, the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound was captured by Israel during the 1967 war.

Read: Israel's far-right minister visits Al Aqsa Mosque compound

In a statement, the Israeli police said, “Officers safeguarded visits to the Temple Mount in accordance with visitation regulations and group size limitations, which are determined by circumstances such as overall visitor numbers and the police's ability to ensure public safety and order.”

Aouni Bazbaz, Director of International Affairs at the Islamic Waqf, which administers Al-Aqsa, told Middle East Eye that the scenes on Wednesday were alarming.

“Today, as the Islamic Waqf, we are facing a situation we have never dealt with before,” he said.

The visit coincided with the third day of Passover, a Jewish holiday commemorating the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt during the time of Prophet Moses.

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Meanwhile, violence continued in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces carried out raids, shooting and arresting several young Palestinians.

Since the escalation of violence on October 7, 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have killed over 944 Palestinians and injured more than 7,000 in the West Bank, according to rights groups and health officials.