Israeli Authorities Impose Strict Restrictions on Palestinian Access to Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Third Friday of Ramadan
Ramallah, Palestine – On the third Friday of Ramadan, Israeli authorities imposed strict restrictions on Palestinian worshipers' access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, even though they had the required permits.
Israeli forces at the Qalandiya checkpoint in Jerusalem checked personal identification cards and prayer permits. However, several Palestinians who held valid permits were prevented from entering Jerusalem.
Ibrahim Awad, a resident of Al-Yamun city, told Anadolu, "I reached the checkpoint, and after they checked my ID, they did not allow me to enter without any reason."
He further explained, "Afterward, I received a text message on my phone saying that I was prohibited from entering Jerusalem due to 'incitement.'"
Awad denied the accusations against him, stating, "I only expressed sympathy for the victims, but they want to suppress us. They won’t even allow us to express sympathy, and they don’t want us to reach Jerusalem."
Another 67-year-old Palestinian, Ismail Abdullah, said, "I have never seen such a situation. This is a terrible situation... What can we say? The Israelis don’t want anyone to come to Palestine, not to Jerusalem, or anywhere else."
Sadiq Mohammad, 80, a resident of Beit Ur al-Tahta city, said, "At my age, they still prevent me from entering Jerusalem and claim that I don’t have permission to pray at Al-Aqsa."
"What kind of permit do they expect me to have to pray at Al-Aqsa at my age?" he questioned.
On March 6, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to impose even stricter restrictions on Palestinian access to Al-Aqsa Mosque on Fridays during Ramadan. According to the new restrictions, only men aged 55 and above, women aged 50 and above, and children under the age of 12 will be allowed to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque.
However, it will be mandatory to obtain security clearance for entry and pass through strict security checks at specific checkpoints.
In addition, Israeli settlers, along with ongoing attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque, have imposed further restrictions on the movement of Palestinians from the West Bank.
Since the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have severely restricted Palestinians’ access to East Jerusalem from the West Bank.
Palestinians view these restrictions as part of a larger Israeli plan to Judaize East Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, attempting to erase its Arab and Islamic identity.
