Stifling restrictions for Al-Aqsa Mosque worshippers

Israeli police said the authorities had issued permits for 10,000 Palestinians from the West Bank but did not reveal the number who were actually allowed to reach Jerusalem and the mosque compound.

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On the third Friday of Ramadan, the Israeli authorities maintained restrictions on Palestinian access to Jerusalem to attend mid-day prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. At least 3,000 police have been deployed every day during the holy month at checkpoints in and surrounding the city to control Palestinian residents and West Bankers seeking to visit the city and their religious sites.

While there were no sweeping restrictions on Palestinians from East Jerusalem and Palestinian citizens of Israel, police checking identity papers barred selected individuals from attending services in Al-Aqsa. Israeli police said the authorities had issued permits for 10,000 Palestinians from the West Bank but did not reveal the number who were actually allowed to reach Jerusalem and the mosque compound. Israeli troops manning checkpoints at the entry to Jerusalem turned away dozens of Palestinians from the West Bank whose phones and emails have been monitored by Israeli domestic intelligence.

They have been accused of “incitement” against Israel for criticising its policies or expressing empathy for Gazans displaced, made homeless, killed and wounded in Israel's nearly 18-month war on the coastal strip.

On March 6th, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu tightened already strict limits on Palestinian Jerusalemites and West Bankers to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque during this period. Only men over the age of 55, women over 50, and children under 12 are permitted to enter the mosque although Israel is required to grant freedom of religion for occupied Palestinian Muslims and Christians.