By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Palestinian officials in Jerusalem have warned of what they described as a serious escalation against Al-Aqsa Mosque following calls by Israeli extremist groups for mass entries into the holy site later this month.

The Jerusalem Governorate said an Israeli group identifying itself as “Temple Mount” has urged supporters to enter the mosque compound on May 15 to mark what Israel calls “Jerusalem Day.”

In a statement issued Sunday, the governorate said such actions are aimed at changing the historic and legal status of the site through public religious rituals and the display of Israeli flags inside the compound.

Officials said the moves are part of wider efforts to divide the mosque in terms of time and space, a matter Palestinians strongly reject.

The governorate described the calls for mass entries as a blatant act of aggression and part of ongoing attempts to Judaize occupied Jerusalem.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is regarded as Islam’s third-holiest site and remains a deeply sensitive religious and political issue.

Palestinians have long accused Israel of increasing measures in occupied East Jerusalem aimed at changing the city’s Arab and Islamic identity, including around the Al-Aqsa compound.

They also consider East Jerusalem the capital of a future Palestinian state, in line with international resolutions that do not recognise Israel’s occupation of the city in 1967 or its later annexation.

Source: Anadolu Agency