LONDON — Human rights and advocacy organization CAGE International has documented and released the harrowing testimonies of three British citizens who were reportedly dragged, kicked, and threatened with firearms by Israeli forces while visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramadan.
The accounts, which detail unprovoked aggression and physical violence within Islam’s third-holiest site, have been brought to light amid heightened tensions surrounding access to the sacred compound. The victims—identified as Raz, Syed, and Ismail—demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of what they described as terrifying intimidation by armed personnel stationed at the historic mosque.
According to the documentation provided by CAGE International, the three British nationals were visiting the revered religious site as part of spiritual pilgrimages often undertaken by Muslims worldwide during Ramadan. However, their peaceful visit turned into a nightmare when they encountered Israeli forces operating within the compound.
The testimonies paint a vivid picture of sudden hostility. The victims stated that they were physically targeted, being dragged across the ground and subjected to kicks by armed forces. In one of the most chilling moments of the encounter, one of the men was directly targeted with a firearm.
"One of the guys [Israeli soldiers] points a gun in my face and then my chest. I literally just laughed at him," one of the victims recounted, highlighting the brazen and threatening nature of the confrontation. Despite facing a loaded weapon at close range, the individuals maintained their composure during the terrifying ordeal.
The release of these testimonies sheds light on the ongoing friction and restrictive measures imposed on worshippers and visitors at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. For decades, the site has remained a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with access frequently restricted, contested, or subjected to heavy security interventions by Israeli authorities, particularly during Islamic holy periods such as Ramadan, when hundreds of thousands of Muslims gather for prayers.
Rights organizations have long accused Israeli forces of employing disproportionate force and systemic harassment against visitors, worshippers, and journalists at the compound. Incidents of physical aggression, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on entry have frequently been reported by human rights monitors, though rare firsthand testimonies from foreign nationals, such as these British citizens, provide a direct window into the daily realities faced by those who encounter security personnel at the site.
In response to the incident and the broader climate of intimidation, CAGE International has issued a strong statement encouraging Muslims around the world not to be deterred from visiting Islam’s revered sanctuary. The organization emphasized that physical threats and aggressive tactics should not succeed in keeping worshippers away from the historic mosque.
"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 declared in its official briefing.
The advocacy group’s stance underscores a deliberate pushback against what it perceives as an ongoing campaign to alter the status quo of the compound and discourage international solidarity visits. By platforming the courageous testimonies of Raz, Syed, and Ismail, organizations like CAGE International aim to raise international awareness regarding the safety and rights of visitors to occupied East Jerusalem.
The publication of these accounts serves as a reminder of the personal risks faced by individuals traveling to the region to bear witness to the conditions under occupation. As testimonies continue to emerge, human rights advocates and community leaders are calling for greater scrutiny regarding the conduct of security forces stationed at sensitive religious sites, ensuring that the safety of worshippers and international visitors is upheld in accordance with international norms and fundamental human rights.