LONDON — Advocacy group CAGE International has released harrowing documentation detailing the violent assault of three British citizens by Israeli forces during a visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem. The incident, which took place during the holy month of Ramadan, involved physical abuse, including being dragged and kicked, as well as direct threats with firearms.
The victims—identified as Raz, Syed, and Ismail—shared their testimonies regarding the unprovoked aggression they faced while visiting Islam’s third holiest site. Their accounts offer a rare and direct look into the escalating tensions and confrontations faced by international visitors and worshippers at the flashpoint religious compound.
According to the details published by CAGE International, the British nationals were targeted while navigating the Al-Aqsa compound. Despite the aggressive posture and physical violence displayed by the armed personnel, the men maintained a defiant stance in the face of imminent danger. Reflecting on the terrifying moment an armed soldier confronted him directly, one of the victims recounted his response to the hostility. "One of the guys [Israeli soldiers] points a gun in my face and then my chest. I literally just laughed at him," the victim explained, illustrating the psychological resilience required by those who encounter such intimidation firsthand.
The release of these testimonies highlights ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of worshippers and visitors at the historic mosque, particularly during sensitive periods like Ramadan, when tens of thousands of Muslims gather to observe religious rites. The compound has frequently been the site of friction, with international human rights organizations and advocacy groups routinely monitoring access restrictions and security measures enforced by Israeli authorities.
In response to the incident, CAGE International has issued a strong message encouraging Muslims worldwide not to be deterred from visiting the sacred sanctuary. The organization emphasized that international solidarity and continued physical presence at the site are vital in resisting measures that threaten the Islamic heritage of the compound.
"We will continue to visit the Al Aqsa compound and call on you all to visit the masjid too — to challenge Israel’s attempt to destroy the third holiest site in the Islamic religion in the name of Zionism," CAGE International stated in its public advisory.
The advocacy group’s appeal underscores a broader strategy among Palestinian solidarity networks and Muslim civil society groups, who view tourism and religious visits by international citizens as a crucial means of maintaining a global presence and visibility at the contested holy site. By sharing the firsthand accounts of Raz, Syed, and Ismail, the organizations hope to bring greater international scrutiny to the daily realities faced by those who travel to Jerusalem to exercise their religious freedoms.