Authorities have permitted a group of 50 rabbis to enter the Western Wall area during Passover, allowing them to perform the traditional Priestly Blessing. This move comes as access to the adjacent Al-Aqsa Mosque remains strictly blocked, marking more than a month of closures that have prevented worshippers from gathering for prayers.

The mosque has now been closed for 36 consecutive days, a measure unprecedented in its history during the holy months of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. Security forces have established tight restrictions around the Old City, limiting movement and barring the faithful from approaching the mosque’s gates. Despite these constraints, a handful of staff from the Islamic Waqf Department continue to maintain the site, highlighting the stark contrast between the restricted access and normal religious activity.

The closures coincide with heightened tensions in the region following the outbreak of the war on Iran in late February. Authorities have cited the ongoing emergency as justification for their measures, but Palestinian religious and community leaders warn that the restrictions represent a severe infringement on the freedom to worship. They have called for urgent international attention, highlighting the growing risk of escalations and the need to reopen the mosque to the public.