The Israeli government plans to fund the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Jewish settlers in the occupied East Jerusalem for the first time, Israeli media reported late on Monday.
Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu ordered the allocation of two million NIS (around $522,000) for the project, set to be implemented in later weeks, according to broadcaster Kan.
Eliyahu has been coordinating with the National Security Ministry, led by extremist National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, to secure Israeli police approval for the settlers’ funded tours to Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Eliyahu’s move comes amid ongoing incursions into the Al-Aqsa complex by illegal Israeli settlers, often under the protection of Israeli police, with Ben-Gvir involved in some of these raids.
This announcement follows repeated assurances by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to maintain the status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque. ….more
