Jerusalem Governorate warns of "Temple" organizations' incitement, continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque for 10 consecutive days

On March 9, 2026 the Jerusalem Governorate warned of a dangerous escalation in provocative rhetoric by so-called extremist "Temple" organizations against the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“JERUSALEM, March 9, 2026 (WAFA) – The Jerusalem Governorate warned on Monday of a dangerous escalation in the provocative rhetoric led by so-called extremist "Temple" organizations against the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, amid the ongoing closure measures imposed by the occupation authorities on the Mosque and its surroundings for the tenth consecutive day”

WAFA Agency

The warning came amid closure measures imposed by the occupation authorities on the Mosque and its surroundings for the tenth consecutive day.

The Governorate stated that the measures do not fall within the framework of "temporary security measures" as claimed by the occupation authorities but form part of a political and ideological path seeking to change the religious, historical, and legal reality in Al-Haram al-Sharif.

The Governorate said the so-called "Temple Institute" called for continuation of the closure under the pretext of a "lack of safe shelters."

It described the closure as a strategic gain for so-called "Temple" organizations that are working to sustain it as part of a policy of partitioning the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“JERUSALEM, March 9, 2026 (WAFA) – The Jerusalem Governorate warned on Monday of a dangerous escalation in the provocative rhetoric led by so-called extremist "Temple" organizations against the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, amid the ongoing closure measures imposed by the occupation authorities on the Mosque and its surroundings for the tenth consecutive day”

WAFA Agency

It said the groups are promoting a long-term continuation of the closure until the end of the war to keep it closed to Muslims during the last ten days of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

The Governorate said they have exploited the situation to intensify propaganda, including AI-generated images and clips, to impose the so-called "Passover Sacrifice" inside Al-Aqsa during the Hebrew Passover (April 1–8, 2026).

The Governorate also reported that entry is being prevented for worshippers except for employees of the Islamic Waqf Department at limited times.

The Governorate stressed that preventing Tarawih night prayers in the Mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan is the first such occurrence since the occupation of Jerusalem in 1967.

“JERUSALEM, March 9, 2026 (WAFA) – The Jerusalem Governorate warned on Monday of a dangerous escalation in the provocative rhetoric led by so-called extremist "Temple" organizations against the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, amid the ongoing closure measures imposed by the occupation authorities on the Mosque and its surroundings for the tenth consecutive day”

WAFA Agency

It argued that the exclusive right to open and close Al-Aqsa Mosque is vested in the Islamic Waqf Department under the internationally recognized historical and legal status quo.

It said any decision by the occupation authorities to close the Mosque or impose restrictions on worshippers constitutes a blatant violation of international law and freedom of worship.

The Governorate highlighted what it called a dangerous irony in which Palestinian worshippers are barred from reaching Al-Aqsa under 'safety measures' while thousands of colonists celebrated the 'Purim' holiday in the streets of Jerusalem last Wednesday.

The Governorate said this situation illustrates double standards by the occupation authorities.