ISIS Calls for Arson on Churches, Synagogues During Easter

The Islamic State, also known as ISIS, has issued a call in its latest propaganda newsletter for supporters worldwide to set fire to churches and synagogues in the United States, Europe, and other regions over the Easter weekend. The directive, published Thursday in the group's weekly al-Naba outlet, frames the attacks as retaliation for Israel's closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, a site revered by Muslims as Islam's third-holiest. The message urges Muslims to target synagogues in countries including the United States, Russia, India, Tunisia, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and Syria, as well as churches during Christian and Jewish holidays.

Israeli authorities closed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, located on the hilltop complex known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount, in late February. Officials cited security concerns amid the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which began with joint military operations on February 28. The closure, now in its second month, has prevented large-scale Muslim worship during Ramadan and Eid, forcing thousands of Palestinian worshippers to pray outside the Old City walls. For the first...