Sheikh Ikrema Sabri, the respected preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque, has denounced the ongoing Israeli closure of the holy site as a “blatant violation of its sanctity” and a deliberate act of religious oppression against Palestinians and Muslims worldwide.

In a powerful statement issued Tuesday, Sheikh Sabri described the Israeli occupation’s continued ban on Muslim worshippers as “bizarre and abnormal,” accusing Israel of weaponizing access to Al-Aqsa Mosque in an effort to erase its Islamic identity and assert control over one of Islam’s most sacred sites.

“The occupation is not just closing a mosque—it is systematically targeting a religious right enshrined in international law,” Sheikh Sabri stated. “While Palestinians are banned from praying, Israeli settlers are permitted to storm and desecrate the Mosque under armed protection. This is unacceptable and must be condemned globally.”

He emphasized that Israel’s escalating restrictions began alongside its war on Gaza and have intensified ever since. He accused the Israeli regime of attempting to impose a new reality at Al-Aqsa, including stripping administrative authority from the Islamic Waqf and undermining its longstanding custodianship.

“No state on earth shuts down a house of worship to its own people—except the Israeli occupation,” he said. “But no matter how aggressive or brutal their measures are, they will never gain a legitimate claim over Al-Aqsa.”

Sheikh Sabri called on Palestinians and Muslims, especially the residents of Jerusalem, to resist these repressive actions by flocking to Al-Aqsa and breaking the siege imposed by occupation forces. He stressed that mass presence is the most powerful form of defense against Israeli attempts to Judaize the site.

On Sunday, Israeli forces once again sealed off Al-Aqsa Mosque and expelled worshippers, just days after partially reopening it to a heavily restricted number of 500 individuals. The initial closure began on June 13—coinciding with Israel’s assault on Iran—raising further concerns over politically motivated religious targeting.

Israeli police have also intensified their crackdown on Palestinians in Jerusalem’s Old City, allowing only local residents to pass through military checkpoints and forcing the shutdown of numerous Palestinian businesses.

“These oppressive measures are part of a broader campaign to erase Palestinian presence in Jerusalem and silence the Islamic character of the city,” said Sheikh Sabri. “We will not be silent. We will defend Al-Aqsa with our presence, our prayers, and our steadfastness.” (ILKHA)