AL-AQSA

A LONG HISTORY OF SUFFERING

In spite of the fact that al-Aqsa Mosque has not been far from the Zionist attacks before the Israeli occupation of the eastern part of Jerusalem in 1967, where al-Aqsa Mosque is located, but since that time, the attacks have become more organized and dangerous where the methods that aim to undermine and control al-Aqsa have become more intensified and diversified. In the following timeline, we observe the most important attacks and actions against al-Aqsa Mosque.

  • April 18

    More than 20 Palestinians are wounded in several incidents in and around Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, bringing the number of wounded since April 15 to more than 170.

  • April 15

    Israeli forces storm Al-Aqsa Mosque using tear gas shells and sound bombs, injuring at least 59 Palestinians.

  • August 21

    The Israeli government allows settlers to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem in a move that risks shifting the site’s status quo.

  • May 10

    Israel ignores an ultimatum to withdraw its forces from the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in the city’s east. The early-morning incursion by Israeli police firing tear gas and stun grenades into the compound raises tensions significantly, not least during the holy month of Ramadan. Israel begins a campaign of air strikes against Gaza.

  • May 7

    Israeli forces storm Al-Aqsa Mosque compound using tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets and stun grenades. This coincides with Laylat al-Qadr (May 8). Hundreds of Palestinians are injured, drawing international condemnation.

  • September 16

    Al-Aqsa Mosque compound closes again for three weeks following a spike in coronavirus cases.

  • May 21

    Al-Aqsa Mosque compound reopens to worshippers and visitors after more than two months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

  • March 15

    The Islamic Waqf announces Al-Aqsa will close its doors to worshippers as a precaution against the coronavirus, adding that outdoor prayers will still be allowed at the complex that houses Islam’s third holiest site.

  • January 31

    Worshippers are injured by Israeli forces using rubber-coated steel bullets as thousands descend on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for the first Friday prayers after then-United States President Donald Trump announced the city, where al-Haram al-Sharif is located, would remain the “undivided capital” of Israel.

  • August 11

    Over 1,729 Jewish settlers storm Masjid Al-Aqsa on the Muslim celebration of Eid Al-Adha under the protection of Israeli occupation forces who used teargas, rubber coated bullets and truncheons to disperse Muslim worshipers, scores of Muslims were injured as a result including Palestinian Member of Israel’s Knesset Ahmad Tibi.

  • July 28

    Scores of Israelis stormed the courtyards of Masjid Al-Aqsa under heavy police and military protection. Eight Palestinians were arrested.

  • July 3

    Another some 40 Israeli settlers, accompanied by Israel’s Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, force their way into the Masjid Al-Aqsa compound in occupied East Al-Quds 

  • June 12

    Israeli occupation forces set up a fence and begin digging around ancient staircase outside Damascus Gate in Al-Quds (Jerusalem).

  • June 9

    330 Israeli Jewish settlers storm Masjid Al-Aqsa as part of a continuous series of raids which began two weeks ago to mark the anniversary of the Israeli occupation of East Al-Quds (Jerusalem) during the 967 war.

  • May 14

    Israel places restrictions on Palestinian access to Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, with men aged 30-40 needing permits to do so, and those 16-29 ineligible to apply. There are no criteria for applying for permits, only conditions for consideration.

  • May 6

    Scores of Israeli settlers desecrate Masjid Al-Aqsa on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan as Israel Police limits Muslim access to the site.

  • April 26

    Palestine News Network estimates that since the Passover holiday began on 19 April, more than 1,600 settlers have stormed Al-Aqsa compound.

  • April 9

    Scores of Israelis storm Masjid Al-Aqsa as election day is marked with a national holiday in the country and at a time when Palestinians in the occupied West Bank who have work permits to enter Israel are banned from entry.

  • March 5

    Israel issues 133 orders banning Jerusalemites from Al-Aqsa Mosque following the reopening of Al-Rahma Gate.

  • FEBRUARY 22

    Palestinians force their way in to Al-Rahma Gate area of Al-Aqsa Mosque and hold prayers there for the first time since 2003

  • FEBRUARY 18

    Israeli occupation forces close the doors to Al-Aqsa Mosque and harass Muslim worshippers as they try to access the site, 70 settlers storm the area at the time

  • January 7

    Israeli Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, accompanied by dozens of settlers, storms Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem in the morning

  • DECEMBER 23

    Ultra-Orthodox Israeli Knesset member, Yehuda Glick, and over a hundred Israeli settlers storm the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Glick says he toured the Muslim holy site to perform prayers on the anniversary of his wife’s death

  • NOVEMBER 6

    Israeli occupation forces committed more than 30 violations and stormings against Al-Aqsa Mosque and prevented the adhan (call to prayer) at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron more than 50 times in October

  • October 23

    129 Israelis storm Al-Aqsa Mosque. The group is made up of 57 settlers, 50 guides, and 15 soldiers from the occupation’s intelligence services Shin Bet and six police officers. 

  • September 10

    Muslims protested the fees cancellation that imposed on visitors on entering Masjid Al Aqsa, the Israeli Ministry of War announced that the Islamic Endowment Department can collect visiting fees for the Masjid only

  • July 31

    Islamic Waqf Department in al-Quds: More than 3,800 settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque in July, the largest number within a month in the last 15 years.

  • July 16

    The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem revealed that excavations have been implemented by the occupation under the Islamic Museum, specifically under the northern section of the museum.

  • June 22

    Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan announced some procedures to change the entire situation in the Bab al-Amoud area following the implementation of numerous operations involving settlers and soldiers in the district of the gate.

  • June 18

    Israeli occupation forces erected a military point on the roof of Bab Al-Rahma hall. The occupation forces destroyed the work carried out by volunteers in the Bab Al-Rahma area, where they rehabilitated the area and planted it with trees and set up stone staircases in late Ramadan.

  • May 2

    The Hebrew newspaper "The Times of Israel" reported that workers began to build the permanent platform of the Jewish Reformers' Hall, demanding freedom of mixed prayer between men and women at the Western Wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

  • April 16

    An Israeli court rules that Jewish visitors storming Al-Aqsa can chant patriotic slogans as they do not count as religious prayers. 

  • March 29

    Israeli Minister of Housing, Yoav Galant, prepared a program called "Israel's Landscape" which seeks to plant Jewish symbols in the streets, centers and main places.

  • March 25

    The Israeli Magistrate Court in Al-Quds rules that Jewish settlers can perform prayers at the gates of Masjid Al-Aqsa as this is ‘the best proof of the Israeli control of the area.

  • March 8

    The Israeli police arrested three female settlers for their prayer at Bab Hatta where the representative of the Israeli police said that the police decision was for fear that the settlers’ prayers would ignite violence with Muslim worshipers for any security reasons.

  • JANUARY 1

    More than 50 rabbis from the religious Zionist movement stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque and met the police to discuss the settlers' entry into the area. They expressed their anger at the arrests which were carried out by the police against the assailants.

  • September 18

    71 Israeli settlers accompanied with extremist Rabbis, stormed Al-Aqsa compound via Al-Mughrabi gate. Muslim worshippers attempted to repel the settlers but were met with aggression from the Israeli police.

  • July 14

    Masjid Al-Aqsa was closed and Friday prayers were prohibited for the first time since 1969.

  • June 29

    Israel Police Commander Yoram Levy stormed Masjid Al-Aqsa at 7:30 a.m via the Mughrabi Gate, accompanying a group of settlers protected by Israeli security forces. Palestinians were subjected to limited access due to sharp security.

  • June 19

    Muslim worshippers at Masjid Al-Aqsa were left choked after tear gas grenades were used by Israeli soldiers who were leading settlers around the holy site the day before

  • June 18

    Israeli police arrested two people after a standoff at Al Quds flashpoint as tension remains high following deadly attack days earlier.

  • May 29

    The Israeli cabinet held a meeting in a tunnel underneath Masjid Al-Aqsa in occupied East Al Quds. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the meeting was held in the tunnel “to mark the liberation and unification of Al Quds.”

  • May 26

    Hundreds of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa to mark ‘Al Quds Day’, to mark 50 years since occupying East Al Quds. It was reported to be the largest number of Jewish settlers to enter the Al-Aqsa at one time.

  • April 18

    Forty-three settlers broke into Al-Aqsa, including 12 students from the Students for the Temple Mount organization. The assault was carried out in the morning from Al-Mughrabi gate with protection from heavily-armed Israeli security forces.

  • April 13

    385 settlers stormed Masjid Al-Aqsa in occupied East Quds in just one day. They stormed Al-Masjid in the morning while another 132 stormed it again in the afternoon under protection by armed Israeli soldiers. The settlers attempted to attack Masjid guards as they tried to perform Talmudic rituals.

  • April 10

    Israeli police temporarily banned 23 Palestinians from entering East Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa complex during Passover. 

  • February 28

    Daily excavations being carried out under Al-Aqsa by the Israeli occupation forces have caused sinkholes to appear in neighboring Palestinian towns, evidently, the excavations are damaging the foundations and surroundings of the Al Aqsa area.

  • February 17

    Worshippers and guards outside Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa challenged Israeli police attempts to enter through Al-Mughrabi gate.

  • January 25

    Over 100 members of Jewish settler gangs broke into Al-Aqsa in the morning in small groups through Al-Mughrabi gate.

  • December 30

    Monthly statistics revealed that some 2,057 Israelis stormed the Al-Aqsa compound in just December alone. The figure includes 91 military officers from the Israeli police and intelligence forces, the Shin Bet who entered from the Mughrabi Gate.

  • December 5

    Israeli police decided to lengthen the period of time dedicated to Jewish and non-Muslim visits to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • December 4

    Monthly statistics reveal that more than 1,300 Jewish settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa in November, including 184 intelligence officers

  • NOVEMBER 23

    82 Jewish settlers stormed Masjid Al-Aqsa under heavy protection from Israeli security forces via the Israeli-controlled Al-Maghrebi Gate.

  • October 20

    320 Israeli settlers stormed Al-Aqsa under the protection of Israeli forces on the fourth day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. They began performing religious rituals but were stopped by the Al Aqsa guards.

  • September 27

    Israel jailed Al-Aqsa guard, Fadi Ali Mohammed Aliyan 30, for 11 months and fines him 1,500 shekels for ‘standing in the way of Jewish settlers’ who had stormed the Masjid.

  • September 20

    Israeli occupation police and Israeli Special Forces broke into Masjid Al-Aqsa’s courtyards and deployed guards all around to facilitate the entry of a group of Israeli settlers and American Jews.

  • September 1

    Groups supporting the “Temple” called on their supporters to stage a collective storming of Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa on the occasion of the new Jewish month.

  • July 1

    The Israeli occupation forces closed the areas surrounding the Old City to all traffic and deployed thousands of troops on various roads. They also enhanced the security procedures at the military checkpoints located at the main entrances to occupied Al Quds.

  • March 1

    Extremist Rabbi Yehuda Glick led a group of Jews to storm Al-Aqsa through Al-Mughrabi Gate under protection from heavily-armed Israeli security forces and the Rapid Response Force. There was great tension in the Masjid amid chants of “Allahu Akbar” by worshippers.

  • February 3

    Approximately 130 settlers and 19 soldiers armed and in uniform stormed Al-Aqsa in the early hours of the morning through Al-Mughrabi Gate; 31 intelligence officers and dozens of tourists also participated in the incursion.

  • January 31

    The Israeli police hindered the Religious Endowment Department (Al-Awqaf) technical teams sent to restore one of the terraces in Masjid Al-Aqsa. Gangs of Jewish settlers also stormed Al-Aqsa from Al-Mughrabi Gate with protection from heavily-armed Israeli security forces.

  • January 6

    The occupation forces continued to prevent 60 female students from entering Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa during the settler attacks on Sanctuary. Meanwhile, a group of women continued to protest outside Al-Aqsa’s gates.

  • January 1

    Nearly 150 Jewish settlers broke into Al Masjid Al- Aqsa Compound under Israeli army protection. The settlers were accompanied by nearly 50 Jewish tour guides telling them about the alleged ‘Jewish links’ to the site.

  • July 23

    The Israeli police prevented children from attending summer camps from entering Al-Aqsa. The children gathered in front of the mosque’s gates to stage a peaceful protest.

  • July 20

    Settler gangs broke into Al-Aqsa through Al-Mughrabi Gate with protection from the security forces.

  • July 18

    On the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, gangs stormed Al-Aqsa through Al-Mughrabi Gate, protected by the security forces.

  • June 8

    Groups of students from Israeli institutions and universities, as well as Jewish settlers, stormed Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa. The extremist Jewish youth movement Im Tirtzu announced its organization of large-scale incursions of Al-Aqsa in cooperation with the students for the Temple Mount group.

  • May 12

    Groups from the Israeli intelligence agencies and settler gangs stormed Al-Aqsa from Al-Mughrabi Gate supported by the security forces.

  • May 3

    Members of the Jewish extremist group students for the Temple Mount stormed Al-Aqsa through Al-Mughrabi Gate, guarded by the Israeli security forces.

  • April 9

    The Israeli police attacked and beat worshippers in Al-Aqsa after they confronted Jewish gangs attempting to storm the mosque. Hundreds of Palestinians from Jerusalem and the occupied Palestinian territories gathered to prevent any Jewish Passover events and celebrations in Al-Aqsa.

  • March 22

    More than 120 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa from Al-Mughrabi Gate in small groups, protected by heavily-armed security forces.

  • February 24

    Al-Aqsa was subjected to systematic violations by groups from the students of the Temple Mount through Al-Mughrabi Gate, guarded by the Israeli police.

  • January 13

    The Israeli police confiscated the identity documents of male and female worshippers as they entered the mosque, only returning them when they left.

  • January 5

    Groups of Jewish settlers stormed Masjid Al-Aqsa and carried out inflammatory tours around the mosque, amid the cries and chants of worshippers and students.

  • November 2

    Moshe Feiglin again entered Masjid Al-Aqsa, despite calls for “restraint” by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Fieglin is a member of Netanyahu’s Likud bloc, is a leading advocate of Jewish access to the compound. One the same day, right-wing housing minister Unri Ariel calls for a change to the status quo at the compound by allowing Jews not only to visit the site but to pray there.

  • October 30

    Israel closed Masjid Al-Aqsa for the first time since 1967. Israeli authorities close Masjid Al-Aqsa after shooting of Yehuda Glick, who advocates for forced entry into the mosque. Clashes erupt between Israeli security forces and Palestinian youth in East Jerusalem a day after the shooting. This is the first time the mosque is closed since 1967, when Israel occupied East Jerusalem. Israel’s public security minister says the mosque will remain closed until further notice, triggering an angry reaction from Abbas, who calls the move “a declaration of war”. Glick, an American-born fanatic, is the chairman of the Temple Mount Heritage Fund. 

  • October 15

    Palestinians clash with Israeli forces amid Al-Aqsa restrictions. Clashes break out between Palestinian worshippers and Israeli forces at Masjid Al-Aqsa compound amid visits by right-wing Jews. Israeli forces fired grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets at worshippers.

  • August 11

    The Israeli occupation forces prohibited women and children from entering Masjid Al-Aqsa and attacked them. The forces arrested one woman and one child.

  • July 4

    Israel imposes restrictions on Al-Aqsa. Israeli police deploy in large numbers around Jerusalem early on Friday as restrictions are imposed on Palestinian worshippers entering Masjid Al-Aqsa compound. 

  • May 27

    Israel to rebuild synagogue near Al-Aqsa site. Plans are announced for an Israeli state-funded project to rebuild the Tiferet Yisrael (Splendor of Israel) synagogue. The Arab Legion destroyed it in 1984 because the Haganah, the pre-state Jewish militia, was using it as a hideout; earlier this year, the Knesset allocated 50 million shekels ($13.4m) for reconstruction. 

  • May 6

    Worshippers under 50 were banned enter Al-Aqsa. Israeli police in the old city restricted entry into Masjid Al-Aqsa to worshippers under the age of 50, with the exception of students who study in the compound. At the same time, police allow a Jewish group to tour the compound. 

  • March 31

    Palestinian prayer restricted. Thousands of Palestinians pray in the streets of Jerusalem after Israeli authorities impose restrictions on Friday prayers, denying all men under 50 from accessing Masjid Al-Aqsa compound. 

  • March 19

    Soldiers tour to Masjid Al-Aqsa. Dozens of Israeli soldiers tour Masjid Al-Aqsa while escorted by Israeli police. 

  • March 16

    Israeli security forces stormed Al-Aqsa through Al-Silsila Gate. They besieged the worshippers and attacked protestors with sound bombs and rubber bullets. The same happened on 16 April of this year, as the occupation forces stormed Al-Aqsa’s courtyards, firing sound bombs, smoke bombs and tear gas canisters at worshippers, resulting in the injury of 25 Muslims.

  • March 12

    Temple Institute director enters Masjid Al-Aqsa. Yahuda Glick, the director of the far-right Temple Institute, enters Masjid Al-Aqsa compound with two ultra-Orthodox Jewish rabbis, under the armed escort of Israeli police. 

  • November 15

    A draft Israeli law that would grant Jews the right to pray at al-Haram al-Sharif is proposed in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset.

  • April 18

    Israeli occupation forces prohibited a group of female Muslim students from entering Al-Aqsa to attend classes early in the month.

  • March 15

    Law proposes to give Jews right to pray at Masjid Al-Aqsa. A draft Israeli law that would grant Jews the right to pray al-Masjid Al-Aqsa is proposed in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. 

  • September 27

    The Israeli police force stationed in Al-Aqsa arrested a male student and removed 6 others in order to allow a group of Jews to walk around the mosque.

  • February 12

    Marabiteen inside Al-Aqsa stood against attempts to storm Masjid Al-Aqsa by Likud leaders.

  • February 09

    Members of the Likud Party announced their intention to storm the Al-Aqsa in order to call for the construction of the alleged temple on its rubbles.

  • October 03

    200 settlers and members of Jewish groups stormed Masjid Al-Aqsa in a very awful way. 

  • September 18

    Small groups of extremist Jews stormed Al-Aqsa and roamed around the mosque accompanied by Israeli police and a heavy military presence.

  • August 20

    Israeli occupation forces attacked a group of worshippers who gathered at the gates of the Old City after being prohibited from entering Al-Aqsa.

  • August 08

    Around 250 members of Jewish groups and settlers entered Masjid Al-Aqsa and try to perform biblical and Talmudic rituals.

  • January 08

    A group of Israeli occupation soldiers, along with a member of the intelligence agency, stormed Al-Aqsa in their uniforms and roamed around inside with an intensive security presence

  • December 20

    A settler was arrested after attempting to storm Al-Aqsa with explosives which he planned to put in Masjid Al-Qibli.

  • December 02

    The Israeli occupation forces closed the doors of Masjid Al-Aqsa and opened only two doors for those under the age of 40, following calls by various Jewish groups to break into it.

  • June 08

    Jewish groups stormed Masjid Al-Aqsa and walked around in its courtyards at the invitation of the Jewish holiday of Shfu’ot Ha-Boker, or “The Feast of the Fall of the Torah.” This coincided with the 44th anniversary of the occupation of the eastern part of Al-Quds.

  • March 22

    The Jerusalem resolution: The UN adopted Resolution 65/179 calling for the permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem. 

  • March 05

    Israeli occupation forces stormed Masjid Al-Aqsa after Friday prayer to test its ability to control the squares with a large number of worshipers, more than 60 injured in the ranks of worshipers and ambulance crews.

  • February 28

    Israeli occupation forces stormed Masjid Al-Aqsa compound. Hundreds of tourists and Jewish worshipers entered its yard, causing clashes with Muslim worshipers inside Al-Aqsa.

  • November 01

    Two failed armed attempts at Masjid were uncovered when Al-Aqsa guards and the citizens managed to arrest a Jewish extremist hiding a weapon and trying to storm Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • October 25

    Israeli occupation forces entered al-Aqsa square, closed the doors of the Masjid against the worshipers, took control of the squares, and cut the speaking wires to disconnect the Masjid from its surroundings. 

  • September 27

    A planned plot to break into the Al Aqsa Mosque by Jewish extremists was protected by the Israeli police, where clashes broke out which resulted in the injury of 16 Palestinians.

  • September 24

    Numbers of the unit called “Explosives experts” in the Israeli police storm the Al-Aqsa and its courtyards.

  • June 25

    The Minister of Internal Security in the State of Occupation, Yitzhak Aharonovitch, storms Masjid Al-Aqsa under the protection of the Israeli police, accompanied by a number of its officers.

  • April 14

    Dozens of settlers storm the area of Al Aqsa to perform their prayers on the occasion of the Jewish Passover

  • October 09

    Large groups of settlers, rabbis and Israeli politicians carry out mass incursions and “Judaic” marches to the Haram al-Sharif area, with a heavy police guard.

  • September 03

    The occupation authorities imposed new restrictions on those who wish to pray in Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan, which prevented them from reaching Jerusalem

  • August 25

    The Israeli police stationed at the door of the Al Asbat prevented the entry of books for students of Islamic school inside Masjid Al-Aqsa. 

  • July 23

    Around 300 Jews entered Masjid Al Aqsa and performed religious rituals under the protection of Israeli police.

  • February 10

    The Israeli bulldozers, backed by large forces of the Israeli occupation army, started to demolish a house and a wooden fence in the “Bab al-Maghrabia” near the “Buraq Wall”.

  • February 09

    Israeli occupation forces stormed masjid al-Aqsa and clashed with thousands of Palestinian worshipers.

  • June 18

    Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement in the occupied territories in 1948 revealed the occupation of the State of the occupation of new excavations under Masjid Al-Aqsa only weeks ago and described it as the most dangerous to the future of the Al-Aqsa, Sheikh Salah also revealed suspicious new schemes and dealt with the participation of European parties aimed at the misuse of endowments and holy sites in Al Quds.

  • June 13

    Ehud Olmert, the Prime Minister of the State of the occupation confirmed during a speech before the British Parliament that he will not give up what he called the “Temple Mount” the mountain on which the Al-Aqsa in any form of negotiations with the Palestinians.

  • April 12

    A disguised settler wearing an Arab uniform sneaked into the yards of the Al-Aqsa during the noon prayer, where he was seen heading to the police station located in Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • March 29

    Israeli police in Al Quds closed Masjid Al Aqsa and prevented Muslim worshipers from performing their prayers on the excuse of fear of tension that could result between Muslims and Jewish extremists on the day of general elections in the Jewish state.

  • August 15

    A group of 100 Jews tried to break into Masjid Al-Aqsa through the Mugrabi gate after they gathered in the area of the Jewish Quarter in the old city of Al Quds.

  • August 14

    About 1500 Jewish settlers arrived at Al-Magharba gate, one of the entrances to Al-Aqsa, and demanded that they are allowed to enter the Masjid to pray. 

  • August 10

    Groups of Jews roamed the streets of Al Quds and its old town in large provocative rallies, exclaiming against Masjid Al-Aqsa and against the Palestinians, in the presence of the occupation forces that closed the streets of the city leading to Al-Aqsa and Al-Buraq Square.

  • August 09

    Dozens of Jewish settlers tried to break into the squares of Masjid Al-Aqsa from Babi Hatta and the chain under the protection of the Israeli police, and the guards of Masjid Al-Aqsa confronted them.

  • August 06

    Settlers tried to break into Masjid Al-Aqsa from Al-Qattaneen gate to sabotage Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Fund Festival and the fourth holy sites organized by the Al-Aqsa Foundation for the Reconstruction of Islamic Holy Sites. The Masjid guards stopped them and prevented them from entering.

  • July 17

    The Israeli occupation forces prevented Sheikh Raed Salah from entering Al-Aqsa for four months after his release.

  • July 16

    The Israeli occupation forces prevented three guards from entering Masjid Al-Aqsa from reaching or approaching about 50 meters away.

  • July 06

    Special Forces of the Israeli police built the extension of the network of CCTV infrastructure to all the doors of Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • June 07

    Palestinian worshipers inside Al-Aqsa faced a new attempt to storm Masjid Al-Aqsa by hundreds of Jewish settlers during the evening prayers.

  • Timeline

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  • June 06

    Two Jewish groups entered Al-Aqsa, Palestinian youths confronted them with, injured two Jewish settlers. The Israeli police suppressed demonstrators using sound bombs and detained a Palestinian youth after the events.

  • May 19

    Sources inside Masjid Al-Aqsa say that the Israeli police located at the door of the Asbat gate, one of the main doors of Al-Aqsa from the north, detained 200 Palestinian students from Hebron in the south of the West Bank to pray in the Masjid for an hour before allowing them.

  • April 04

    The Israeli police announced the details of a plan for the installation of motion detectors and cameras around Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • April 2

    The Israeli forces stormed Al-Aqsa during Friday prayers, injuring 45 worshipers and arresting 15 others.

  • April 1

    Submitted a confidential report to Sharon recommending closing the Mussala Marwani in front of the Muslim worshipers in Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • March 31

    Settlers seized two buildings in the Silwan neighborhood besides Al-Aqsa to tighten the siege and Judaize Masjid Al Aqsa.

  • March 26

    Israeli police prevented those under the age of 45 from entering Al-Aqsa for Friday prayers.

  • February 27

    Israeli forces stormed Masjid Al-Aqsa during Friday prayers, injuring 24 people, including women, between moderate injuries.

  • February 25

    Islamic waqf reacts to Sharon visit. Sheikh Azzam Al-Khatib director of the Islamic Waqf, tells Al Jazeera that after the provocative visit by Ariel Sharon to Al-Aqsa, the Wagf decided to close the area to foreign tourism and this closure held until April 26, 2003, when the Israeli police make a unilateral decision – despite the Wagf’s opposition – to reverse the decision. Since then, tourists and settlers groups have been permitted to enter through the Mughrabi Gate under Israeli police protection. 

  • February 17

    Sheikh Raed Salah from the prison: The first and last accused of the collapse in the path of the door of the Moroccans are the Israeli governments that have been and still give full legitimacy to continue excavations under Masjid Al-Aqsa in the past and these days.

  • February 13

    Israeli police imposed a strict siege on Al-Quds and deprived Palestinians of Friday prayers at Masjid Al Aqsa.

  • February 09

    A group of Jewish extremists destroys ancient marble columns near the Islamic Museum inside the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa, dating back to the early Islamic times.

  • Janurary 02

    Sheikh Ekrimah Sabri, the Grand Mufti of Al Quds and the Palestinian Territories, announced at the Friday prayer sermon in Masjid Al-Aqsa that the Israeli authorities intend to open a new door in Al-Buraq area.

  • July 01

    Israeli media reported that two weeks ago, Israeli police allowed Jews and foreign tourists to enter the holy sites of Al-Aqsa, accompanied by an Israeli police force.

  • May 14

    The Israeli Minister of Internal Security declared: Al Aqsa will open for visits of Jews and foreign tourists soon by agreement with the Islamic Waqf. If no agreement is reached, we will open it anyway. 

  • May 06

    Sheikh Raed Salah revealed that there are Jewish groups entered Al-Aqsa on a daily basis secretly with groups of more than 30 people.

  • February 20

    The Israeli forces installed cameras to detect the movements of Muslim delegations entering Al Aqsa from the gate of Masjid Al-Aqsa. They conducted an inspection at all homes of the people next to Masjid Al-Aqsa and identified each family in each house and the number of its members.

  • Feburary 09

    The Israeli police and government decision to close the offices of the Islamic Heritage Committee at Al-Rahma gate, and fears of turning the place into a synagogue.

  • January 31

    The company "Balarken Hehrakosh" placed a poster bearing the image of ِAl-Aqsa on vodka bottles made at the company Voktan - Ukraine.

  • January 27

    A number of Israeli rabbis in Israeli settlements in the West Bank declared that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has promised them that he will open the mosque to the Jews.

  • January 15

    The Israeli Geological Institute claimed to have discovered a stone engraved with inscriptions indicating the period of the ninth century BC.

  • January 14

    Israeli archaeologists claim to have discovered a stone dating back to 9 centuries BC, inscribed with phrases that speak of the Temple, and that it was renewed in the excavations carried out in Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • January 10

    Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement, and Kamal Khatib, vice-president of the Islamic Movement, are under investigation at the Israeli police station about the Al-Aqsa Festival in danger.

  • January 03

    A group of extremist settlers attempted to storm Masjid Al Aqsa from Al-Asbat gate area and Al-Guanameh gate, estimated at 60 settlers.

  • NOVEMBER 19

    The Jerusalem District Court allowed extremist group members Hai Vekayam to demonstrate five meters away from the Masjid’s doors.

  • November 15

    The Israeli occupation forces prevented tens of thousands of citizens from entering Al Quds to pray in Al-Aqsa and turning the Old City into military barracks on the second Friday of Ramadan.

  • Novermber 04

    Kuwait's Newsweek magazine published by Dar Al-Watan for press, printing, and publishing, promoting Israeli claims and the claim of a Jewish journalist named "Dan Ephron" that says the holy mosque which is constructed on the ruins of the temple.

  • October 11

    Israeli occupation forces prevented thousands of citizens from performing prayers in Masjid Al-Aqsa and built barriers inside the holy city.

  • October 04

    Israeli occupation forces storm Masjid Al Aqsa and attack the worshipers who demonstrated against the recent American law relating to Al Quds.

  • September 04

    The Supreme Court of Israel rejected a request from the Temple Mount Faithful asking for Al-Aqsa to enter the Masjid on the occasion of the Jewish New Year.

  • August 08

    Rabbi "Ephraim Shach" son of Rabbi "Eliezer Shach" analyzed the violation of the sanctity of Masjid Al Aqsa on the excuse of preventing the killing of Jews.

  • May 05

    The Israeli police are trying to open the holy Masjid to the Jews, according to the police commander of Al Quds, "Mickey Levy".

  • March 22

    A Jewish meeting was held to enter Masjid Al Aqsa to build the alleged Temple.

  • January 23

    The Israeli intelligence services recommended allowing Jewish extremists to enter the courtyards of the holy Masjid of Al-Quds.

  • January 01

    Israel feared the collapse of Masjid Al-Aqsa in the coming month of Ramadan because of the open hole in the southern wall, which emerged against the wall.

  • December 26

    Israeli rabbis urged Sharon to apply Israeli sovereignty over the holy Masjid compound and called on the Sharon government to stop what they called illegal acts carried out by the Islamic Waqf Department in the courtyard of the Masjid.

  • September 28

    The Israeli occupation authorities turned the holy city into military barracks on the first Friday of the second year of the Intifada and prevented worshipers from entering Al-Aqsa to pray and allowed only those who are over 40 years old and carry the identity of Al Quds only.

  • September 18

    An intensive Israeli propaganda campaign against the renovation work in Al-Aqsa.

  • September 10

    Israeli Internal Security Minister Uzi Landau issued instructions to prevent the entry of building materials into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa to continue the renovation work and threaten to break into Al-Aqsa.

  • SEPTEMBER 09

    A committee called "Preventing the Destruction of Monuments in Masjid Al Aqsa" asked Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Internal Security Minister Uzi Landau to stop all construction work in Masjid Al Aqsa.

  • SEPTEMBER 01

    The so-called "Temple Mount Faithful" group is carrying out a provocative tour at the gates of Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • August 30

    The Israeli occupation authorities have dug two new tunnels under the Mussala Al Marwani.

  • August 25

    Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declared that Jews may be allowed to enter the blessed Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • August 20

    The Israeli Supreme Court rejected a request by an extremist asking the Israeli police to allow the Jews to enter Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • August 17

    The Israeli forces prevented thousands of citizens from reaching the Al-Aqsa for Friday prayers and turning the city of Al Quds into military barracks.

  • August 02

    The Israeli occupation forces intensified measures in Al Quds and prevented residents of the West Bank from reaching Al-Aqsa for Friday prayers and allowed men only over the age of 40 to enter and pray. 

  • July 26

    American Centre for Strategic Studies revealed the presence of Jewish fanatics bringing dangerous materials, biological and chemical inside Al-Aqsa to pollute it.

  • July 25

    The Supreme Court of Israel prohibited the so-called "Temple Mount Faithful" movement from laying down the foundation stone of the Temple inside Masjid Al-Aqsa and to be placed nearby the Mugrabi Gate.

  • July 18

    Leaders of Israeli religious extremists called upon Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to allow Jews to enter Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • July 12

    The committee of the so-called "Committee against the demolition of memorials" claimed the existence of excavations, demolition of the effects in Masjid Aqsa and demanded that Israeli officials to stop them.

  • May 08

    Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon formed a ministerial committee to prepare a mechanism allowing Jews and foreign tourists to enter Al-Aqsa.

  • April 18

    A Jewish museum was built nearby Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • March 02

    Members of the Temple Mount Faithful movement filed an appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court demanding that the Islamic Waqf must stop restoration work in Al-Aqsa.

  • SEPTEMBER 29

    Israeli security forces committed a new massacre against worshippers in Masjid Al-Aqsa, killing and wounding dozens.

  • SEPTEMBER 28

    Ariel Sharon stormed Masjid Al-Aqsa accompanied by a heavy security presence. This sparked Al Aqsa Intifada.

  • January 11

    The Israeli Supreme Court decided that politicians are responsible for deciding issues regarding Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • January 05

    Israeli forces deployed intensively around Masjid Al Aqsa on the night of the twenty-seventh of Ramadan, and deliberately portrayed worshipers using video cameras at the entrances of the Old City, and checked the identities of worshipers and arrested 20 Palestinian youths under the excuse of throwing stones at them.

  • December 21

    A settlement group called "this is our land" planned to organize a large demonstration around Masjid Al Aqsa to protest against the opening of an emergency gate in the Mussalah Marwani.

  • December 20

    The Israeli police installed surveillance cameras over the roads leading to Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • December 10

    The Israeli authorities threatened to cut off water on the Islamic Waqf because of the restoration works in Al Aqsa.

  • December 03

    Israeli attempts were executed to stop the renovation work in Masjid Al Aqsa. 

  • December 02

    Ehud Olmert, the so-called mayor of Al Quds issued an order forbidding the Islamic Endowments Authority to continue the restoration work in the Mussalah Marwani.

  • November 14

    Rabbi Yitzhak Levy, the leader of the National Religious Party and the Minister of Housing in the Ehud Barak government, called for the division of Masjid Al Aqsa between Muslims and Jews. 

  • November 08

    The Israeli media sources claimed that the Israeli intelligence and security services have recently expressed fears that a large-scale disaster in Masjid Al Aqsa by the end of the second millennium and the beginning of the third millennium by the end of this year, could be caused by fanatic elements or religious groups on this date that coincides with the last Friday of Ramadan.

  • November 02

    The Israeli legal advisor Elyakim Rubinstein stormed Masjid Al-Aqsa with the Inspector General of the Israeli Police and Al Quds Police Commander on the excuse of searching for remnants of construction.

  • October 30

    Revealing of the Israeli countdown to the demolition of Masjid Al Aqsa.

  • October 02

    Revealing of extremist Jewish groups attempts years ago to take over a land in Masjid Al Aqsa, note that it is registered as an Islamic Waqf.

  • September 27

    An Israeli wine company labeled a picture of Al Quds with Masjid Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock over the wine bottles.

  • September 23

    A request from the so-called "Temple Mount Faithful" to storm Masjid Al-Aqsa in the occasion of the alleged Feast of Tabernacles for Jews on Monday, 27/9/1999.

  • September 13

    The Israeli government considered plans to impose its domination on Masjid Al Aqsa, such as replacing the police guard with electronic doors and electrified fence.

  • August 31

    Israeli plans to demolish the Umayyad palaces next to the blessed Masjid Al-Aqsa and the expansion of the Al-Buraq Wall (Wailing Wall) in order to ventilate the site and destroy Islamic memorials.

  • August 10

    The Israeli occupation authorities closed a window in the old Al-Aqsa wall, which was opened for ventilation and treatment of moisture.

  • July 21

    The Israeli High Court of Justice issued a decision allowing the so-called "Temple Mount Faithful" to enter Al Aqsa. 

  • June 08

    A settler infiltrated into Masjid Al-Aqsa compound and carried out provocative acts that harmed the sacredness of the Masjid, in front of the Israeli police. The guards of the Masjid got him out of it.

  • January 24

    Exploitation of the Dome of the Rock in a propaganda campaign for tourism in the so-called "Israel" in a declaration published by the Ministry of Tourism. 

  • January 17

    Former Judge "Menachem Allon" called for the division of Masjid Al Aqsa, and considered that Masjid is an alleged temple.

  • January 04

    Israeli police allowed nineteen Jewish extremists from the Temple Mount Faithful to enter Al Aqsa and walk through its squares.

  • September 27

    Jewish extremists attempted to enter the squares of Masjid Al-Aqsa after being allowed to do so by the Israeli police.

  • September 09

    A Jewish extremist tried to sneak into the courtyard of Al-Aqsa from the front and south.

  • August 26

    Israeli soldiers broke into the blessed Masjid and severely beat one of the citizens inside the Masjid. The occupation refused to expel its soldiers and threatened to break into Masjid Al Aqsa.

  • August 02

    Attempts by Jewish extremists to storm Majid Al-Aqsa on the side of the Mugrabi Gate and Qatanin Gate to perform religious rituals.

  • December 24

    Two groups of Jewish extremists attempted to storm Masjid Al-Aqsa through the gates of Al Silsilah and Al Asbat.

  • August 31

    Israeli plans to demolish Umayyad palaces near Masjid Al-Aqsa and expand the Buraq Wall (weeping wall) were revealed.

  • August 11

    A judicial advisor to the Israeli government allowed Jews to pray in Majid Al-Aqsa after coordinating with the Israeli police.

  • October 04

    The military checkpoints were placed at the entrances of Al-Aqsa, and youths under the age of 35 were prevented from praying at Masjid Al Aqsa.

  • September 24

    Digging a tunnel under the western wall of Masjid Al Aqsa. 

  • July 14

    Jewish extremists demanded Netanyahu in order to divide Masjid Al Aqsa.

  • July 07

    Serious Israeli excavations lead to vibrations and fractures in the south-western wall of Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • July 13

    A group of six extremists entered at 8:30 a.m. walking around Al Aqsa Square and left at 11:30 a.m.

  • April 02

    Around 50 of Jewish extremist members gathered at the entrance of Masjid Al-Aqsa and raised slogans and banners calling for rebuilding the so-called Temple.

  • December 27

    A group of ten members of the "Temple Mount Faithful" movement led by the head of the movement, "Gush Shalom" tried to enter Masjid Al Aqsa although there is a decision by the police to prevent the visit.

  • October 19

    The Israeli forces prevented worshipers from reaching Masjid Al Aqsa to pray there.

  • October 08

    The Israeli forces committed a massacre inside Majid Al Aqsa, killing 22 worshippers and injuring more than 200.

  • August 08

    The Israeli police allowed prayers for religious Jews to perform their prayers, officially at the gates of Masjid Al Aqsa for the first time.

  • August 21

    Jordan disengages from West Bank. The late Jordanian King Hussein Bin Talal issued a declaration announcing that Jordan will be disengaged from the West Bank at the request of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Previously, Awqaf’s responsibility was extended beyond East Jerusalem to include the rest of the occupied West Bank.

  • August 04

    A number of rabbis held a special meeting in which they finally decided to allow the Jews to perform the rituals in Masjid Al-Aqsa and decided to build a synagogue in one of its squares.

  • August 21

    The Israeli police allowed Jewish extremists to perform their rituals in Masjid Al-Aqsa. 

  • April 23

    Border guards who came to reinforce the guard and prevent the attacks of the Jewish extremists on Masjid Al-Aqsa, were going around the campus yard, carrying weapons in prayer times and conducting acts that do not fit the holiness of Masjid Al-Aqsa as a place of worship. 

  • March 29

    The collapse of the stairs leading to the entrance of the Supreme Islamic Council, where a gap of three meters, two meters and a depth of more than ten meters, was discovered, leading to a long tunnel built by the Israeli Antiquities Department besides the western wall of Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • January 26

    Two Jews entered Masjid Al-Aqsa in possession of large amounts of explosives and hand grenades with the intention of bombing the Dome of the Rock Mosque.

  • January 17

    Pro-settlement leaders plot to blow up al-Aqsa. Ben Sholshan and Yehuda Etzion – members of the Jewish Underground, a group accused of plotting anti – Palestinian attacks and violence and founding figures in the pro-settlement Gush Emunim movement in Israel – plot to blow up Masjid Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock. The men say they are motivated by a desire to build the Third Temple on the Masjid’s ruins. 

  • June 25

    Right-Wing group temple Mount faithful aims to control the compound. The temple mount faithful, an Orthodox Jewish group emerges during the 1970s and 80s as the most outspoken and significant advocate for the demolition of Masjid Al Aqsa and the Jewish takeover of the Noble Sanctuary. In a 1983 interview, the group’s leader, Gershon Salomon, alludes to why the Temple Mount Faithful want to gain control over the area, saying “whoever controls the Temple Mount has rights over the Land of Israel”. 

  • January 20

    An extremist group was formed in Israel and America whose mission is to rebuild the Temple in place of Masjid Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock.

  • July 25

    Yoel Lerner, an activist who is affiliated with the illegal, terrorist Kach Movement, was arrested after planning to bomb the Dome of the Rock.

  • May 12

    The Mayor of West Al Quds, entered Masjid Al-Aqsa with the help of the police to achieve the claims of Knesset Member Geula Cohen about the existence of illegal structures in Masjid Al-Aqsa, where the municipality imposed a ban on construction and renovation work at Al-Aqsa.

  • April 11

    The Israeli soldier Harry Goldman opened fire in Al-Aqsa courtyard, killed two Palestinians and wounded more than 60 others.

  • March 02

    A group of Jewish extremists from Kiryat Arba settlers armed with guns attempted to storm Al-Aqsa from Al-Silsilah gate after they assaulted on the guards.

  • February 24

    Gershon Salomon, the founder, and leader of the Temple Mount Faithful stormed Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • September 03

    Masjid Al-Aqsa Reconstruction Committee planned to build a concrete wall at the Qaitbay Well because the Israeli authorities have not kept their promise to close the well completely, but they kept two openings that enable the Jews to observe people.

  • August 28

    A tunnel was discovered under the Noble Sanctuary of Al-Aqsa, starting from the Buraq Wall.

  • May 07

    About 25 Jewish extremists attempted to enter the holy sites of Masjid Al Aqsa but they were prevented by the guards of the Masjid. Those extremists remained outside and another group, making extensive noise and disturbance.

  • January 13

    Members of the Temple Mount Faithful, along with other groups, stormed Al-Aqsa and raised Israeli flags and Torah scrolls.

  • April 19

    The Jewish rabbis held a general conference in Al Quds in which they planned to control Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • November 11

    Israeli police fired heavy bullets at Muslim worshipers, injuring dozens of them.

  • September 16

    The Supreme Court of Justice decided that it has no authority over matters relating to the rights and demands of various religious bodies, and therefore does not intervene in the case of the government’s prohibition of Jews from praying at the Campus.

  • NOVEMBER 02

    Yigal Allon, acting Prime Minister of Israel, and his assistant stormed Masjid Al-Aqsa.

  • August 21

    An Australian tourist, Denis Michael Rohan, set fire to Masjid Al-Aqsa, destroying priceless artifacts.

  • June 16

    The Israeli forces occupied the honorary corner located in the south-west of the courtyard of Masjid Al Aqsa.

  • June 15

    The head of the Military Rabbinate in the Israeli army, Shlomo Goren, and 50 of his followers performed religious rituals in Al-Aqsa courtyard.

  • June 09

    Friday prayers were disrupted in Masjid Al Aqsa after the occupation. This was the first time that prayers were prevented since the liberation of Al Quds by Salah Al-Din from the Crusaders in 1187 A.D. 

  • June 07

    General Mordechai Gur and his soldiers entered Masjid Al-Aqsa on the third day of the 1967 War and raised the Israeli flag from the Dome of the Rock. They also burned copies of the Qur’an, prohibited worshippers from praying in the masjid and confiscated the keys.

  • June 06

    Masjid Al Aqsa and Al Quds city with its buildings were all badly hit by the repeated Israeli bombardments such as the destruction of the minaret of Al-Asbat gate.