What's happened
On April 19, 2025, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned calls from Israeli settler groups to demolish the Al-Aqsa Mosque and build a temple in its place. This follows a series of settler incursions during Passover, escalating tensions between Israelis and Palestinians amid ongoing violence in Gaza.
What's behind the headline?
Escalating Tensions
- The calls for demolishing the Al-Aqsa Mosque reflect a growing movement among Israeli settlers, which has gained traction in recent years.
- The Israeli government's support for such actions, particularly from far-right officials like Itamar Ben-Gvir, indicates a shift in policy that could lead to further violence.
- The international community's response will be crucial; failure to address these provocations may embolden more extreme actions.
Implications for Peace
- The situation poses a significant threat to any potential peace negotiations, as religious sentiments are deeply intertwined with national identity for both Palestinians and Israelis.
- Increased violence could lead to a broader conflict, drawing in regional powers and further destabilizing the area.
- The Palestinian leadership's call for international intervention highlights the urgency of the situation, as they seek to protect their religious sites and identity.
What the papers say
According to Al Jazeera, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the social media posts inciting violence against the Al-Aqsa Mosque as a "systematic incitement". The New Arab reported that thousands of settlers gathered near the mosque during Passover, performing rituals that many Palestinians view as provocations. The escalation of settler incursions has been condemned by Hamas, which called for increased Muslim presence at the site to counter these actions. The situation is further complicated by the Israeli government's support for such activities, as noted by various sources, including The Times of Israel, which highlighted the controversial visits by Ben-Gvir to the mosque.
How we got here
The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound has been a flashpoint for conflict, particularly during religious holidays. Recent Israeli military actions and settler activities have intensified tensions, with Palestinian leaders warning of a potential religious war over the site.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of these tensions?
- How has the international community responded?
- What actions are being taken by Palestinian leaders?
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More on these topics
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in the Old City of Jerusalem, is the third holiest site in Islam. The mosque was built on top of the Temple Mount, known as the Al Aqsa Compound or Haram esh-Sharif in Islam.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is an Arab country in Western Asia, on the East Bank of the Jordan River. Jordan is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and the east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and Israel and Palestine
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Itamar Ben-Gvir is an Israeli lawyer, and a leader in the Israeli far-right Otzma Yehudit party. He is known for defending Jewish radicals on trial in Israel. He has called for the expulsion of Arab citizens of Israel who are not loyal to Israel.