Palestinian National Council Warns of Push to Impose New Religious Reality by Force at Al-Aqsa

The Palestinian National Council (PNC) has issued a formal warning regarding what it describes as an escalating campaign to alter the religious and sovereign status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. According to a statement released by the QNA, PNC President Rawhi Fattouh expressed deep concern over calls for organized marches into the site during upcoming Jewish holidays, characterizing these actions as a deliberate attempt to impose new religious rituals by force.

Fattouh argued that these developments represent a significant shift in policy, moving beyond previous concerns over the 'Judaization' of the city toward a direct challenge to the established status quo. The statement specifically highlighted rhetoric surrounding plans for the construction of a 'Third Temple' on the site, which the council views as a direct threat to the sanctity and historical management of the mosque compound.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount, remains one of the most sensitive sites in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The status quo, which has governed the site for decades, generally permits non-Muslim visits but prohibits non-Islamic prayer within the compound. Palestinian officials frequently raise alarms when they perceive these boundaries are being tested by political or religious groups.

This latest warning from the Palestinian National Council comes amid heightened regional tensions and follows a series of reports regarding increased activity and security presence in and around the Old City of Jerusalem. The PNC has called upon the international community to intervene to prevent further escalation and to uphold the existing arrangements that govern the site, warning that any attempt to unilaterally change the reality on the ground could lead to further instability in the region.