Israel Restricts Palestinian Worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque During Ramadan

(MENAFN) Israeli authorities announced Wednesday that attendance at Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem will be capped at 10,000 Palestinians from the West Bank during Ramadan, with each worshipper required to secure a prior permit, as stated by reports.

The Israeli military coordination body COGAT said the restrictions were approved by political leadership following a security assessment. “After a security situation assessment, the political echelon approved the entry plan for Palestinian worshippers to attend Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque throughout the month of Ramadan,” the agency said.

The statement clarified that 10,000 Palestinians will be permitted to enter for Friday prayers throughout Ramadan, “provided they obtain a prior daily permit designated for each Friday prayer.” Entry will be allowed for men aged 55 and above, women aged 50 and older, and children up to 12 years accompanied by a first-degree relative.

Each year during Ramadan, Israel enforces heightened security in occupied East Jerusalem and tightens Palestinian access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, according to reports.

Separately, posts from settler groups on social media indicated that illegal Israeli settlers plan to continue daily incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during Ramadan. The posts stated that settlers will enter the site for five hours each day, excluding Fridays and Saturdays, from 6:30 am local time (0430 GMT) to 11:30 am (0930 GMT). Prior to Ramadan, entries occurred in two sessions: 7 am to 11 am and 12:30 pm to 2 pm.

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