Israel seeks to recruit ultranationalists for police unit at Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israel seeks to recruit ultranationalists for police unit at Al-Aqsa Mosque Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 06/04/2026 - 12:06 Palestinian officials warn move signals deeper cooperation between Israeli authorities and Temple Mount groups seeking destruction of Jerusalem site Israeli police keep watch during a raid by ultranationalists into Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on 18 June 2023 (AFP/Jewel Samad) Off Israeli authorities are seeking to recruit ultranationalists and settlers into police units deployed at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, according to a report by Haaretz . Daniel Lerach, deputy commander of the police unit responsible for the mosque, issued online appeals for the recruitment of what he described as “religious officers” to serve at the site. “Anyone who wants to take part in implementing sovereignty is welcome to contact me,” Lerach wrote in messages circulated on social media and WhatsApp groups, including ones linked to Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.