In a move that has sparked widespread condemnation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved stringent new restrictions on Palestinian worshippers' access to Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, particularly during Fridays in the holy month of Ramadan. This decision marks a significant escalation in Israel’s ongoing violations against Islamic holy sites and its efforts to assert control over the sacred compound.

Netanyahu’s office stated that the government has endorsed a security recommendation to permit only a limited number of worshippers from the West Bank to enter Al-Aqsa, following the same restrictive measures imposed last year. As part of these preparations, approximately 3,000 Israeli occupation soldiers have been deployed across occupied Jerusalem, intensifying the militarisation of the city ahead of the first Friday prayer of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Jerusalem affairs expert Fakhri Abu Diab highlighted that Israel is deliberately obstructing worshippers from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque by imposing severe restrictions, including categorising who is allowed entry and erecting numerous police and military checkpoints around the area. These measures, Abu Diab explained, are part of a broader Israeli strategy to reduce the number of Palestinian worshippers at the mosque, particularly during Ramadan, when the site traditionally sees a significant influx of devotees.

Abu Diab emphasised that Israel’s ultimate goal is to empty Al-Aqsa Mosque of its Palestinian worshippers, a plan it pursues year-round. However, the large crowds that gather during Ramadan often thwart these efforts. He further noted that the occupation authorities are attempting to erase Al-Aqsa from the consciousness of Palestinians, particularly those in the West Bank, as part of a wider scheme to sever the connection between the West Bank and Jerusalem. Despite these efforts, Abu Diab asserted that such plans have so far failed to achieve their intended objectives.

In a stark illustration of these oppressive measures, Israeli occupation forces have established military checkpoints around Jerusalem and the Old City, severely restricting the movement of Palestinians. Reports indicate that elderly worshippers from the West Bank, who had set out at dawn in cold and rainy weather to reach the Qalandia checkpoint and pray at Al-Aqsa, were forcibly turned back by Israeli soldiers. This callous treatment of worshippers has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates and religious leaders alike.

The tightening of access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, a time of heightened spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide, is seen as part of Israel’s broader campaign to Judaise Jerusalem and undermine Palestinian ties to the city. These actions not only violate international law but also exacerbate tensions in an already volatile region, threatening to ignite further unrest.

As Palestinians continue to resist these oppressive measures, the international community faces mounting pressure to hold Israel accountable for its violations of religious freedom and human rights. The protection of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the rights of Palestinian worshippers remain central to the struggle for justice and peace in occupied Jerusalem.