Israel imposes strict security measures on Palestinian access to Al-Aqsa during Ramadan

Israel has implemented a new policy limiting the number of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank allowed to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem for the first Friday prayers of Ramadan. The policy restricts entry to only 10,000 individuals, with permits required for access.

The Qalandiya checkpoint near Ramallah is experiencing significant congestion as hundreds of Palestinians wait to gain entry into the holy site. According to Channel 12, approximately 2,000 Palestinians were able to cross through the checkpoint by morning, amidst heightened Israeli military alertness at checkpoints separating the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

In comparison to previous years, when up to 250,000 worshippers attended the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, the new restrictions represent a significant decrease in attendance. The policy applies only to Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, as well as Palestinian-Israeli citizens from inside Israel proper.

According to Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, who is reporting from the Qalandiya checkpoint, the new restrictions are intended to limit interactions between communities. She noted that accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is an important tradition for Palestinians, and that many will be unable to break their fast in Jerusalem as they have in previous years.

The restriction has resulted in hundreds of people being barred from entering the holy site, with Odeh stating that this policy is part of Israel’s efforts to sever ties between occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the occupied West Bank.

Source: Al Jazeera