London, 9th April 2026 – ICJP has written to the Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister raising concerns over the recent raiding of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem by Israeli settlers, alongside far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which comes at a time of rapidly increasing religious persecution of Palestinian Christians and Muslims in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) by Israeli authorities.
This follows Israel’s increasing attempts to consolidate total sovereignty over Al-Aqsa, which is the third holiest site in Islam, and is emblematic of Israel’s primary aim of Judaisationof Muslim and Christian holy and heritage sites across the oPt.
It is paramount that the UK joins countries like Jordan, Qatar, Türkiye, Egypt, and others, who have strongly condemned the move by Ben-Gvir to consolidate Israeli control of Al-Aqsa, his unlawful raid of the compound, and for the UK Government to immediately take preventative measures that stop the Israeli authorities from deepening its persecution of Palestinian Muslims and Muslim holy sites across the oPt. Furthermore, whilst the UK did introduce sanctions against Ben-Gvir in a personal capacity in July 2025, it has failed to recognise the apartheid system that Israel perpetuates, including a system of religious apartheid, in violation of international law.
In his capacity as minister for national security, Ben-Gvir has also indicated his plans for Israeli authorities to oversee the admitting of up to 150 Israelis or Muslims at a time in the Al-Aqsa compound. This move would place Ben-Gvir in effective control of the Mosque’s affairs, side-lining the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, which holds recognised exclusive administrative authority, including control over access, and has done so for 839 years.
It is also profoundly concerning that Ben-Gvir’s raid of Al-Aqsa Mosque was permitted at a time when the site remains unlawfully closed to Palestinian Muslims. The compound has now been inaccessible for over a month, including throughout the recent holy month of Ramadan, raising serious alarm. This development sets a dangerous precedent, further entrenching patterns of discrimination and exacerbating the risk of religious persecution against Palestinian Muslims.
Ben-Gvir has also pushed for legislation to be introduced to the Knesset to curtail the Muslim call to prayer. Meanwhile, on the recent Palm Sunday, the Archbishop of Jerusalem was denied access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the holiest site in Christianity.
The prolonged and deliberate restriction of access to Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli authorities constitutes a grave breach of Israel’s obligations under international law. Such measures amount to religious persecution of Palestinian Muslims and impose unlawful restrictions on fundamental rights, including freedom of movement, freedom of religion, and the right to practice one’s faith. These rights are firmly protected under international legal frameworks, rendering continued encroachment upon Palestinian religious and cultural sites across the occupied Palestinian territory unlawful under international humanitarian law.
Órlaith Roe, ICJP Public Affairs and Communications, said:
“These violations must be understood within a broader context of systemic inequality that reinforce Israel’s policies of apartheid. They repeatedly contribute to the gradual erosion of the status of Palestinian religious sites through restricted access, the expansion of Israeli control, and the institutionalisation of racial and religious hierarchy.
Taken together, these actions further entrench discriminatory structures and accelerate the marginalisation and erasure of Palestinian Muslim presence and heritage.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
- For more information, to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact the ICJP news desk at [email protected].
Image: Godot13 via Wikimedia Commons
