Jerusalem: The preacher of East Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, appeared in an Israeli court on Tuesday on charges of 'incitement'. The charges, filed by Israeli prosecutors in August 2024, relate to two condolence speeches the preacher delivered in 2022, as well as his mourning of former Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in the Iranian capital in 2024.

According to Anadolu Agency, an indictment against the imam was read during Tuesday's trial session at the Magistrate's Court in Jerusalem. The 87-year-old preacher arrived at the court in a wheelchair, accompanied by his lawyers and several Palestinian supporters.

The imam expressed to Anadolu that the practices of the Israeli occupation are rejected and that Israel aims to silence opposition to the incursions of extremist Jews into the Al-Aqsa Mosque. He emphasized the significance of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, stating, "We will never give up the Al-Aqsa Mosque because it is part of our faith, and what is happening is a violation of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa."

Sheikh Sabri further alleged that Israeli authorities are trying to spread fear among Palestinians to weaken their resistance against the occupation. He reiterated the commitment to remaining steadfast in their position regarding the holy site.