Jewish settlers burst into the mosque compound through the Magharba Gate, the foundation -- devoted to protecting Al-Aqsa's Arab and Islamic identity -- said in a statement obtained. They settlers were protected by Israeli special forces, the foundation stated, adding that they had toured the mosque compound in the company of a handful of Jewish rabbis. "The settlers performed Jewish and Talmudic rituals in different parts of the compound, particularly near the Rahma gate," the foundation added. Israeli special forces usually form human barriers to protect Jewish settlers whenever the latter enter the Aqsa compound to separate them from Palestinian Muslims present at the mosque. According to the foundation, Yehuda Glick, head of the Temple Mount Heritage Foundation, was among the party of Jews who entered the mosque complex on Monday. Glick, the foundation statement read, had been accompanied by about 20 settlers when he entered the mosque complex. During their tour of the Aqsa compound, settlers listened to lectures on the history of the "presumed and imagined Solomon's Temple," the statement added.
Groups of Jewish settlers enter the Aqsa Mosque complex -- considered Islam's third holiest site -- on an almost a daily basis, usually accompanied by Israeli security forces.
The frequent violations anger Palestinian Muslims and occasionally lead to clashes.
The latest Al-Aqsa violations by settlers come as Jews celebrate the weeklong Sukkot holiday. The Knesset (Israel's parliament) had earlier called for opening the mosque compound to Jews on all Jewish holidays.