Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran condemned raids by Israeli extremist groups targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque. Duran said every provocation targeting the mosque was an unacceptable attack on Jerusalem’s historic and legal status.
Duran made the statement on his NSosyal account. Saying the raids were carried out under the protection of Israeli forces, Duran said the actions were increasing tensions in Jerusalem, disregarding the inviolability of holy sites and making the region’s fragile balance even more vulnerable.
Duran said Jerusalem was a shared geography of all three Abrahamic faiths, describing Al-Aqsa Mosque as the common place of worship for Muslims and a shared heritage of humanity. He said Türkiye’s position was based on the rights of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Duran also recalled President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s words: “Al-Aqsa Mosque, our first qibla, is our red line.” He stressed that defending the rights of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque was not only a responsibility of today but also a historic responsibility carried toward future generations.
Duran said Türkiye would continue protecting the inviolability of Al-Aqsa Mosque and standing with the Palestinians, adding that this position would continue.
1,500 settlers entered Al-Aqsa Mosque
The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Department said 1,500 Israeli settlers entered Al-Aqsa Mosque that same day. The department said the group performed Jewish religious rituals under the protection of Israeli police and that restrictions on Palestinian worshippers’ entry had been tightened.
Raids by settlers at Al-Aqsa Mosque have increased since the start of the Jewish holidays. The raids are carried out under heavy protection by Israeli forces and alongside military measures in Jerusalem.
Jewish holiday calendar
The Jewish holidays began with the Hebrew New Year on September 12 and 13. The calendar lists Yom Kippur on September 21 and 22, Sukkot from September 26 to October 2, and Simchat Torah on October 3.
Palestinians say Israel has intensified for decades its practices aimed at erasing the Arab and Islamic identity of the area, including East Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Judaizing the city. Palestinians also regard East Jerusalem as the capital of the state they aim to establish in the future, based on international law decisions.
This position is based on international law decisions that do not recognize Israel’s occupation of the city in 1967 or its annexation in 1980.
