Israel to fund settler storming of Al-Aqsa for first time

Extremist heritage minister to allocate $545,000 for illegal settlers' funded tours to Al-Aqsa Mosque

JERUSALEM:

The Israeli government will finance for the first time the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by illegal Israeli settlers in the occupied East Jerusalem, local media reported on Monday evening.

According to the Israeli public broadcaster KAN, the office of Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu - an extremist minister known for being anti-Palestinian - will allocate 2 million NIS ($545,000) for the project which is expected to be implemented in the coming weeks.

KAN added that the Heritage Ministry was in contact with the National Security Ministry of extremist Itamar Ben-Gvir to obtain the Israeli police permission for the settlers' funded tours to Al-Aqsa.

Earlier on Monday, Ben-Gvir told the Israeli Army Radio that his policy is to "allow Jews to perform prayers inside the Temple Mount (in reference to Al-Aqsa Mosque)," noting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knew his policy before forming the coalition government.

The announcement comes despite repeated claims by Netanyahu to preserve the status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque is the situation that existed before Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967, under which the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Endowments, is responsible for managing the mosque's affairs.

However, in 2003, Israeli authorities changed this status by allowing settlers to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque without the approval of the Islamic Waqf, which demands an end to these incursions.

Ben-Gvir claimed Monday that Jews have the right to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying that he would build a synagogue at the flashpoint site.

It was the first time for the Israeli minister to openly speak about building a synagogue inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque. However, he has repeatedly called in recent months for allowing Jewish prayers at the site.

His call came amid repeated incursions into the complex by illegal Israeli settlers under police protection.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered the third holiest site in Islam. Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount, believing it to be the location of two ancient Jewish temples.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar