Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, revered Palestinian religious figure and former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, has issued a grave warning about the growing aggression targeting the city of Jerusalem and its sacred sites. His call comes amid a sharp rise in Israeli incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, particularly during the recent Passover period.

According to Sabri, settler groups, shielded by Israeli forces, stormed the mosque's courtyards in unprecedented numbers, posing a serious threat to the sanctity and historic character of one of Islam’s holiest sites. He condemned the assaults on Palestinians observing i’tikaf within Al-Aqsa, noting that many were violently removed or prevented from entering altogether as Israeli authorities tightened their siege around the Old City.

Warning of a deliberate attempt to alter the city's Islamic and Palestinian identity, Sabri called for urgent and unified action to defend Jerusalem before irreversible changes are imposed. He criticised the deafening silence of Arab and international actors, arguing that inaction only emboldens those seeking to erase Palestinian presence from the city’s heart.

Amidst escalating violence and heightened restrictions, Palestinians continue to stand firm, resisting daily attempts to fragment their connection to Jerusalem and to Al-Aqsa, the enduring symbol of their heritage and faith.