Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Abraham Burg, former speaker of the Israeli Knesset, has disclosed that extremist Jewish groups have attempted at least five times to bomb Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock since Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967. In an interview with American broadcaster Tucker Carlson earlier this week, Burg stated that these groups sought to remove Al-Aqsa from the Temple Mount area, highlighting the dedication and fanaticism of those willing to act on such plans.
Burg emphasized that the issue is not about the number of supporters advocating for the removal of the mosque and reconstruction of the so-called Temple, but rather the determination and readiness of extremists to carry out their intentions.
The revelation comes amid ongoing Israeli measures restricting access to Al-Aqsa. Israeli authorities have fully closed the mosque for 25 days, citing security measures to prevent gatherings. The closure coincides with the recent joint U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran on February 28, raising questions about the connection between regional military actions and restrictions on worship at the site.
Escalating incitement on Israeli social media
Meanwhile, Israeli politicians and activists have intensified inflammatory rhetoric regarding Al-Aqsa. Former Knesset member Moshe Feiglin posted on Instagram, praising the continued closure of the Temple Mount and framing it as evidence of Israel’s regional power.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared footage showing Palestinian worshippers being blocked and forcibly removed from areas near Al-Aqsa, asserting that recent appointments of security commanders in Jerusalem maintain order and control over potential disturbances.
In recent days, right-wing Israeli journalist Yinon Magal posted a photo of the Al-Aqsa vicinity following the fall of an Iranian rocket fragment near the Old City walls, implying a desire to target the mosque in the future. Similarly, extremist Rabbi Baruch Marzel shared an AI-generated image depicting an airbase beneath Al-Aqsa, accompanied by a mocking claim about a “secret air force base” in Jerusalem.
Observers warn that the ongoing closure, combined with rising settler incitement and calls to perform ritual sacrifices in the mosque courtyards, represents a serious escalation. Such actions threaten the sanctity of the site and heighten the risk of wider unrest, especially amid limited international oversight of activities within the mosque compound.
