The Israeli government has reportedly greenlit measures to limit the entry of Palestinians residing in Israel and Jerusalem to the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the upcoming Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given his approval to the recommendations put forth by the far-right Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir. Despite warnings from the country’s security agency, Shin Bet, cautioning that such restrictions could escalate tensions, Netanyahu has supported the move.
Channel 13 reported that Netanyahu’s decision, based on Ben-Gvir’s recommendation, comes despite concerns raised by Shin Bet about potential disturbances between Palestinians in Israel and the Israeli police during Ramadan. An official decision from the Netanyahu administration on this matter is expected in the coming days, as per the broadcaster’s claim. Unidentified sources cited by the channel state that the access of Palestinian worshipers to the Al-Aqsa Mosque will be limited.
Recent reports from various Israeli media outlets, including Channel 12, highlight Shin Bet’s warning to the government regarding the potential for significant disturbances if Palestinians are barred from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan. The security agency expressed concern that such a decision could lead to more severe disruptions than those witnessed during the tensions in 1948 when the State of Israel was declared.
Since the onset of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Israeli authorities have imposed restrictions on Palestinian Muslims’ access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, particularly on Fridays. However, last Friday saw approximately 25,000 Palestinian worshipers defy these restrictions and enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem to perform Friday prayers for the first time since the conflict began.
The ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, initiated by a Hamas attack on October 7, has resulted in Israeli attacks causing extensive casualties and destruction. The conflict has displaced 85% of the territory’s population, leading to acute shortages of essential resources. The UN reports that 60% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. Israel currently faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, with an interim ruling in January instructing Tel Aviv to cease genocidal acts and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.
