ICJP writes to UNESCO over Ben-Gvir raid of Al-Aqsa

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians has written to the director of world heritage at UNESCO. It’s to raise concerns over the recent raiding of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem by Israeli settlers, alongside far-right Israeli minister and all-round nightmare Itamar Ben Gvir. This came at a time of rapidly increasing religious persecution of Palestinian Christians and Muslims in the occupied Palestinian territory by Israeli authorities.

Ben Gvir raiding Al-Aqsa again

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 Judaisation of Muslim and Christian holy and heritage sites across the occupied Palestinian territory.

UNESCO’s role in safeguarding the protection of Palestinian cultural, historical, and religious heritage sites is of fundamental importance in the face of increasing Israeli attempts to erase Palestinian cultural heritage, which includes its continued weaponisation of archaeology to appropriate Palestinian land.

It is paramount that the UN strongly condemns the move by Ben-Gvir to consolidate Israeli control of Al-Aqsa, his unlawful raid of the compound, and for the UN and UNESCO to immediately take preventative measures that stop the Israeli authorities from deepening its persecution of Palestinian Muslims and Muslim holy sites across the occupied Palestinian territory.

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.

Freedom of religion and belief

Ben Gvir has also pushed for the Knesset to introduce legislation 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.

Israel’s actions regarding Al-Aqsa follow a similar pattern to those seen following the progressive Judaisation of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. In January 2026, Israel barred the mosque’s Palestinian directors and seized planning rights over part of the site, in contravention to longstanding arrangements.

Despite its administration by Palestinians and use as a mosque for more than 1,400 years, Israel has continually increased Jewish access to the site in its attempts to consolidate Israeli and Jewish sovereignty over it, increasingly so after the 1994 massacre of Palestinian Muslims at the mosque by a Jewish settler.

Órlaith Roe, ICJP public affairs and communications, said:

It is paramount that the UN adopts the findings of its own special rapporteurs and recognises the apartheid system that Israel perpetuates, including a system of religious apartheid that violates international law.

The safeguarding of Palestinian cultural, historical, and religious sites from Israeli appropriation and attacks is a duty the UN cannot afford to fail in upholding.

Featured image via the Canary