They aren't members of an organized, hierarchical organization, nor are they necessarily devout Muslims. Each of them comes from a different background, and even their political affiliation, when one exists, is diverse. In one important aspect, however, they are unified: The "defense" of Al-Aqsa.
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Shabab Al-Aqsa, the youths who took part in the violent riots of recent days and were holed up in Al-Aqsa Mosque, were prepared in advance for clashes with police. They usually arrive under the cover of night, posing as worshippers and entering the compound one by one so as not to arouse suspicions.
The Jordanian Waqf may control the Temple Mount, but even officials there are not always pleased with the youths who disturb the order and disrupt routine prayers. On the other hand, the Waqf cannot expel Muslims from the Temple Mount.
The age of the youths in question ranges anywhere from 16 to 30. Some of them identify with the Hamas concept of resistance. Others feel more of a connection with the idea of the Fatah party. There are also those who belong to Islamist organizations such as Hizb ut-Tahrir, a pan-Islamist, fundamentalist organization that aims to establish a global Islamic caliphate.
They see themselves as the last defenders of Al-Aqsa at a time when some Arab and Muslim states have turned their back on the Palestinian issue and the Muslim holy sites. These are youths who have been incited to violence and are convinced they are on their way to saving the mosque. They have been made to believe there is a plot to divide Al-Aqsa so that there will be a prayer time for Jews and a prayer time for Arabs.
Some of them come from Jerusalem's Old City and other villages outside of the capital. The assessment is that there are also Arab youths from the so-called "Triangle" area. They see themselves as on a national and religious mission even though they are not Islamist religious figures with beards. In fact, they are usually dressed in contemporary fashion. Some of them work in Israel and in west Jerusalem.
"They are convinced the settlers' visits to Al-Aqsa are not tourist visits and that Israel only understands the language of conflict. At the same time, there is no diplomatic hope, and there the atmosphere dictates that there is no choice but to clash with the occupation. There are those who carry out terrorist attacks, while others prefer social media, and still others focus their attention on insurrection," a senior Fatah official in Jerusalem told Israel Hayom.
What does stands out is their connection to social media. This is a generation that was brought up on the social media platforms of Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, a realm where almost everything is allowed. They take care to post images and videos of arrests and document their friends attacking police, all to create as many victory images as possible online and raise morale.
The name "Shabab al-Quds," or "Jerusalem Youths," first arose when Israel renewed Jewish visits to the Temple Mount over the last decade. Then the Palestinians pushed the narrative that Israel sought to change the status quo on the Temple Mount. At the same time, there came to be established the phenomenon of the Morabiton and the Morabitat – female and male Muslims who come to defend Al-Aqsa and remain there. Later, there came the metal detector scandal, during which the Shabab Al-Quds arose as those tasked with thwarting the "Jewish plots" and defending the mosque.
The organization of Shabab Al-Aqsa includes Shabab Al-Quds, the young people who were seen in clashes that broke out at the Damascus Gate during Ramadan last year. There are those who describe these young people who try to challenge Israeli security forces to make an impression and show everyone who's boss as a social phenomenon.
The fact that this is not an organized and hierarchical organization makes it even more difficult to contend with its members. On the other hand, their operations are not entirely compartmentalized, which means that some of their activity and organization is found on social media, something that could make tracking their activity easier.
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