Palestinians raise concern over restricted access and rising tensions at holy site

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Around 150 Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday under tight police protection, according to Palestinian sources.

Reports said the group entered through the Mughrabi Gate and moved around the mosque’s courtyards. Some of them were also seen performing Jewish religious rituals (Talmudic prayers) inside Al-Aqsa compound.

At the same time, Israeli police placed restrictions on Palestinian worshippers, limiting their ability to enter the mosque for prayers. These measures have been in place for some time and often increase during such visits.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the most important holy sites in Islam. The area is also known to Jews as the Temple Mount, which they believe has historical and religious significance.

Since 2003, Israeli authorities have allowed such entries at specific times, usually in the morning and afternoon, except on Fridays and Saturdays. However, Palestinian authorities say these actions continue to raise tensions in the area.

The Islamic Waqf, which is responsible for managing the mosque, has repeatedly called for these visits to stop, but there has been no change in policy.

Palestinians say the continued entries and restrictions are part of wider efforts to change the identity of East Jerusalem and reduce its Islamic character. They also maintain that East Jerusalem should be the capital of a future Palestinian state, based on international resolutions.

Source: Bernama