Al-Aqsa: Palestinians decry unprecedented settler storming through Asbat Gate

The incident, which happened on 28 August, was the first time settlers entered the courtyards of the mosque from the gate, located in the northeastern section of the complex, since Israel occupied East Al-Quds city in 1967.
Israeli ultra-nationalists, protected by heavily armed police, raid Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Al-Quds city on a daily basis in complete disregard to the site's Palestinian Muslim administration and decades-old international agreement.
They enter through southwestern Bab al-Magharba (Moroccan Gate), the only gate out of the mosque's 15 entry points under the full control of Israeli authorities which no Palestinians can access.
While Palestinians have always protested against raids into Al-Aqsa Mosque from Bab al-Magharba, many fear allowing settlers to enter through different gates signals a move towards expanding Israeli control over the mosque and changing the status quo.
Jerusalem's Waqf, a joint Jordanian-Palestinian Islamic trust that manages the affairs of the mosque, was quick to condemn the move and warn of its consequences.
"We view with grave concern this transgression and violation of the sovereignty of Waqf, which is considered an extension of the Jordanian sovereignty," said Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, the director of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
"We do not accept raids, whether from Bab al-Asbat, or Bab al-Magharba. What happened was an attempt to anger the Jerusalemite street, and we do not look at it in good faith."

Temple groups applaud

The incident on 28 August happened after Israeli police removed a group of ultra-nationalists from the courtyards of Al-Aqsa during one of their routine daily incursions for singing and dancing near Bab al-Rahma (Golden Gate), near Bab al-Asbat.
Later, members of the group objected, saying that they did not participate in any violations and that they had to return to the mosque. Policemen then allowed them to return via Bab al-Asbat.
The incident was filmed and shared by members of what is referred to as "Temple groups", a number of far-right Israeli organisations, mostly from the Religious Zionism movement, that arrange incursions at Al-Aqsa Mosque, which they refer to as "ascension to the Temple Mount".
Temple groups advocate for the destruction of Al-Aqsa Mosque, where they believe two ancient Jewish temples once stood, to make way for a third temple.
Beyadenu, one of those organisations, hailed the breakthrough on Sunday and said the entry happened "smoothly without any problems".
It added that this precedent should be repeated and be turned into a formal procedure, especially during Jewish holidays, when the number of Israelis raiding the mosque increases.
Following angry reactions by Palestinians, who have long warned against expanding Israeli control over Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israeli police said no changes were made to the "status quo" and denied allowing settlers to enter through al-Asbat.
The status quo refers to an understanding since 1967 between Jordan - the custodian of Islamic and Christian sites in Jerusalem - and Israel, which regulates visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Under the delicate arrangement, non-Muslims are allowed to visit Al-Aqsa only under the supervision of the Waqf, a provision that Israel has been violating since 2000.
Palestinians have expressed doubt about the police statement, saying that such decisions could not have been taken by field officers alone and would not have happened without prior coordination.
Kiswani said Temple groups and police are "always in full harmony", and he urged Jordanian authorities to raise the issue urgently with Israeli officials.