Israeli authorities plan to entrust Al-Aqsa security to religious Jewish activists

Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Photo: Anadolu Agency

Israeli authorities have launched a plan to recruit religious Jews and far-right activists for service at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Police have begun cooperating with radical groups to attract new personnel from among supporters of a stronger Jewish presence on the Temple Mount, according to Anadolu Agency.

Daniel Lerach, deputy commander of a police unit, published recruitment appeals on social media platforms and messaging apps. Calls to join the police appeared in groups of Israeli settlers in the West Bank and on forums associated with far-right organizations.

District police commanders are reportedly maintaining regular contact with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has been an outspoken advocate of changing the status quo at the holy site.

Jerusalem authorities described the move as a dangerous development and an attempt to erase the Islamic identity of Jerusalem.

Palestinian representatives said Israel is seeking to transfer effective control of the mosque to state security structures. At present, the Islamic Waqf Department remains the only body authorized to oversee the mosque under existing international agreements.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Turkey condemned what it described as the “desecration” of Al-Aqsa Mosque by an Israeli minister.

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