Israel is trying to change Jerusalem’s religious identity

On April 5, 2026, Israeli security forces attacked Palestinian Christians trying to reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The following day, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to pray, despite a ban on non-Muslim religious rituals. These incidents followed an unprecedented 40-day closure of these religious sites under the guise of safety, preventing prayers and religious services for both Christians and Muslims.