Ahmad al-Safadi, who describes himself as a “journalist and researcher on Jerusalem affairs,” was arrested at his home in East Jerusalem by Jerusalem District Police officers on Sunday morning. He was taken to the Kishle police station in the Old City, where he was served with a new order banning him from the Temple Mount compound, also known as Al-Aqsa, for six months. The order was issued against the backdrop of his ongoing activity, which has raised concerns about incitement and disturbances.
Who Is Ahmad al-Safadi and What Does He Publish About Jerusalem?
Al-Safadi, an East Jerusalem resident in his 40s, is known as a prominent figure among Palestinian activists in the eastern part of the city. He regularly documents events at the Temple Mount and publishes content that presents Israeli security forces’ efforts to enforce law and order, as well as Jewish visits to the compound, in a one-sided manner, describing them as “attacks,” “incursions” and “attempts to Judaize” Al-Aqsa Mosque. His work includes sharp criticism of Israeli policy in Jerusalem, including home demolitions, changes to school curricula and restrictions on access to the compound.
Al-Safadi works as an independent journalist and documentarian and cooperates with radical Palestinian media outlets such as Palestine Today, the WAFA news agency and local information organizations including the Wadi Hilweh Information Center. He frequently appears as a commentator and describes police activity as part of a systematic policy directed against Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem.
Why Has Ahmad al-Safadi Been Banned From the Temple Mount Again?
The current ban is not the first. In January 2026, al-Safadi received a six-month order barring him from the Temple Mount as part of a broader policy aimed at restricting figures involved in incitement and disturbances at the compound. He has been arrested and banned several times in the past, including in 2023, over his coverage of clashes at Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.
From the Israeli perspective, al-Safadi represents a radical voice that contributes to tensions surrounding the Temple Mount. His partial and tendentious documentation, which often ignores disturbances by Muslim worshippers or incitement spread through social media, serves as a tool of Palestinian propaganda.
Israel Police works to enforce the law and preserve public order at this sensitive site while allowing religious access in as balanced a manner as possible. The Sunday morning arrest and the new order reflect Israel’s attempt to confront a recurring pattern of incitement and provocation. Security officials stress that such bans are intended to prevent escalation, particularly during sensitive periods.
Al-Safadi, along with similar activists, Palestinian media outlets and social media networks, views these measures as repression and a blatant attempt to silence their voices and prevent them from presenting the “truth” from their perspective. From the Israeli point of view, however, the measure is considered necessary to preserve security and the status quo at the Temple Mount.
