Israel to impose Friday prayer ban on Palestinians during Ramadan

In the statement made by the Coordination Unit of Government Activities in the Palestinian Territories (COGAT), affiliated with the Israeli army, it was stated that the conditions for Palestinians to worship at Masjid al-Aqsa during Ramadan were determined.

PERMISSION REQUIREMENT FOR FRIDAY PRAYER

It was stated that Palestinian women living in the occupied West Bank, children under the age of 12 and Palestinian men over the age of 56 can come without permission to occupied East Jerusalem to pray on Fridays at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Palestinian men between the ages of 45-55 were required to obtain special permission to come to the Masjid al-Aqsa Mosque.

Likewise, Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank can visit their first-degree relatives in occupied East Jerusalem or Israel "if they get security clearance," it was shared.

YOUTH ARE NOT ALLOWED

It was announced that women over 50 and men over 55, including Palestinians living in the blockaded Gaza Strip, can visit Jerusalem from Sunday to Thursday.

Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank require special permission to visit holy sites such as Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, beyond the Israeli-built firewall, and to visit relatives inside Israel. To exit the occupied West Bank, Palestinians must use one of the 23 checkpoints along the firewall.

Israel is concerned about the escalation of tensions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem with the start of Ramadan.

As a result of the attacks of Israeli soldiers and Jewish settlers, 88 Palestinians, including the elderly, women and children, have been killed since the beginning of the year. As for the attacks on Israelis, 15 people, including one Ukrainian citizen, have lost their lives since the beginning of the year.