Story perspectives

Netanyahu and 570 settlers enter Al-Aqsa under heavy security

By Drooid · Sep 20, 2026, 8:04 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ministers entered the Western Wall plaza in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday.
Around 570 Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under heavy security, performing provocative prayers.
Netanyahu posted video from Western Wall tunnels, calling the site the “Holy of Holies” and asserting exclusive claim.
Palestinian worshippers faced restricted access, stringent identity checks and limited entry to Al-Aqsa as police protected settlers.

History

Historical Context

After Israel seized East Jerusalem during the June 1967 Six-Day War and incorporated it into municipal boundaries, the UN adopted Resolution 242 in November 1967 calling for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories. The war displaced roughly 300,000 Palestinians and spurred settlement growth, leading to today’s 570-settler incursion at Al-Aqsa and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to the Western Wall, prompting renewed diplomatic pressure.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ministers entered the Western Wall plaza in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday.
Around 570 Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under heavy security, performing provocative prayers.
Netanyahu posted video from Western Wall tunnels, calling the site the “Holy of Holies” and asserting exclusive claim.
Palestinian worshippers faced restricted access, stringent identity checks and limited entry to Al-Aqsa as police protected settlers.

1 / 2