Netanyahu Sparks Outrage with Tunnel Video Beneath Al-Aqsa, Marking “Jerusalem Day”
Israeli PM appears under Al-Aqsa Mosque in provocative footage, fueling anger over ongoing Judaization and threats to Islamic heritage.
Watan-In a provocative move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—wanted by the International Criminal Court—published a video of himself inside a massive archaeological tunnel dug beneath the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, stretching from Silwan to directly beneath the mosque.
In the video, Netanyahu declared:“Jerusalem will remain the eternal capital of Israel,” and pledged to push for international recognition and the relocation of foreign embassies to the city.
This controversial visit coincided with the 58th anniversary of the 1967 occupation of Jerusalem, known in Israel as “Jerusalem Day.” The day saw unprecedented settler escalation, including a large-scale raid on the mosque courtyards by more than 2,090 settlers, all under the protection of Israeli forces. The day also featured the “Flag March,” which included racist chants like “Death to Arabs” and “Flatten Gaza.”
Ministers Join in Escalation
The raid included participation by several Israeli ministers and Knesset members, most notably:
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Itamar Ben Gvir – Minister of National Security
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Yitzhak Wasserlauf – Minister of Negev and Galilee
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Members of the Likud, Jewish Power, and Religious Zionism parties
Observers described Netanyahu’s tunnel appearance as an attempt to impose a new Judaized reality in Jerusalem. Activists condemned the move as a direct violation of Islamic holy sites and a threat to the structural integrity of Al-Aqsa, particularly since Israeli excavations under the mosque—allegedly searching for remnants of the “Temple”—have continued for years without yielding any archaeological evidence.
نتنياهو متجولا من نفق تحت بلدة سلوان بـ #القدس المحتلة
رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي بنيامين #نتنياهو: “إطلاق سراح مختطفينا هو في صدارة أولوياتنا، وآمل جدا أن نتمكن من الإعلان عن شيء بهذا الشأن. إن لم يكن اليوم – فغدا”.
لكنه تراجع بعد ذلك بوقت قصير، وقال في بيان لمكتبه: “المقصد لم… pic.twitter.com/6R7QvWVix3
— Anadolu العربية (@aa_arabic) May 26, 2025
Palestinian and Arab Response
The video drew widespread Palestinian and Arab condemnation. The Palestinian Authority and several factions described the visit as a
“serious provocation” and a “direct threat to the fragile status quo” in the occupied city.
The Islamic Waqf and the Jordanian government called on the international community to intervene and stop Israel’s recurring violations at the mosque.
Analysts warn that these escalatory moves, particularly Netanyahu’s visit, could trigger a new wave of violence in Jerusalem, especially amid what activists describe as a shameful silence from the Arab and international community.
Critics argue that Israel’s Judaization campaign is systematically targeting Jerusalem above ground and below, reshaping its identity through force, archaeology, and symbolism.
