DayofPal — Israeli Temple-affiliated groups have launched a broad campaign, in coordination with political figures, calling for allowing settlers to raid the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday, May 15, 2026.
The date coincides with what is known in Israel as “Jerusalem Day,” marking the 1967 occupation of East Jerusalem.
The campaign seeks to alter the long-standing status quo at the site, where access for non-Muslim visitors is typically restricted to specific days and hours, excluding Fridays and Saturdays.
Organizers are advocating for opening the compound to settlers on a Friday, a move that would mark a significant shift in existing arrangements.
Among those backing the campaign is Likud Knesset member Amit Halevi, who has publicly urged National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to permit entry on that day.
Halevi framed the issue as part of a broader ideological struggle, describing the site as a central front. He has previously proposed legislation to divide access to the compound between Muslims and Jews.
The campaign includes several coordinated efforts. Temple groups have circulated Ben Gvir’s personal phone number, encouraging supporters to contact him directly to demand access.
In addition, an online petition has been launched, allowing participants to pledge to raise Israeli flags inside the compound during the planned visit, in an attempt to mobilize large numbers of participants.
The planned date is particularly sensitive, as it also marks the 78th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba in 1948. The overlap of the two occasions is expected to heighten tensions in Jerusalem, where Jerusalem Day is typically marked by increased settler attacks, including morning raids to the Al-Aqsa courtyard and the “Flag March” in the Old City.
Historically, settlers have not been allowed to enter the compound on Fridays since 1967. However, previous exceptions imposed during extended closures, including periods when access was restricted for consecutive Fridays during Ramadan, have encouraged campaigners to push for changes to the current rules.
The developments have raised concerns about potential escalation, particularly in light of past incidents. In 2019, when the Jewish fast of Tisha B’Av coincided with the Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Adha, Israeli authorities allowed entry after morning prayers, leading to violent confrontations at the site, an event later remembered locally as the “Eid Wound.”
Observers warn that any change to the status quo at one of Jerusalem’s most sensitive religious sites could trigger wider confrontations amid ongoing political and security challenges.
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