Israeli settlers have stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem again and performed Jewish prayers in the courtyard.<\/p>\n
The weekend witnessed a series of provocative acts by Israeli politicians and settlers in the build-up to Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, and next month\u2019s Israeli election.<\/p>\n
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On Thursday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and others again stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for Yom Kippur. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also visited a labyrinth of tunnels below occupied East Jerusalem on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Early on Sunday morning, Netanyahu released videos and photographs on his official Instagram account documenting his participation in Jewish \u201cSelichot\u201d prayers at the Western Wall, known as the al-Buraq Wall to Muslims.<\/p>\n
The tunnels lie underneath occupied East Jerusalem\u2019s bustling Old City and the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, making the incursions particularly sensitive for the occupied territory\u2019s Palestinian population.<\/p>\n
Translation: Happy New Year and a good final signature to all Israelis from the Western Wall.<\/p>\n
Under the protection of security forces, Netanyahu, accompanied by several government ministers and thousands of Israeli settlers, made his way onto the plaza of the wall in occupied East Jerusalem on Saturday evening, ahead of Yom Kippur.<\/p>\n
Footage shared by the prime minister showed him performing the rituals from behind bulletproof glass. In another video, Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, passed through one of the excavation tunnels running beneath the Western Wall while Jewish prayers took place.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, we are in the tunnels at the al-Buraq Wall. It is moving to touch the rock of our existence. We are here very close to the Holy of Holies. We are here, and we will always remain here,\u201d Netanyahu stated in the video.<\/p>\n
Translation: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife in prayer for the safety of Israeli soldiers tonight at the Western Wall.<\/p>\n
Yom Kippur incursions<\/p>\n
The prime minister\u2019s subterranean visit unfolded alongside a wave of settler incursions into the holy site above ground.<\/p>\n