Israel Permits Select West Bank Muslims To Enter Al-Aqsa on Ramadan Fridays
On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel will allow a limited number of Muslim worshippers from the West Bank to enter Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Fridays during Ramadan. According to the statement, the arrangement—similar to last year’s—permits entry for men aged 55 and older, women aged 50 and older, and children up to age 12, provided they pass a security screening. The statement emphasized that there is no limitation on Israeli Arabs.
Earlier in the week, Hebrew media outlets reported that Israel’s security establishment planned to cap entry at around 10,000 West Bank worshippers for Friday prayers, contingent on advance requests. The security guidelines also explicitly banned entry for former Palestinian prisoners released as part of the current Gaza ceasefire agreement. In response, Hamas issued a strongly worded statement on Telegram, condemning the anticipated restrictions. The group called upon Palestinian Muslims in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Arab citizens of Israel to gather at the compound in large numbers and resist efforts by Israel to “desecrate and control” the site “by any means.”
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Last year, approximately 120,000 worshippers attended prayers at Al-Aqsa on the final Friday of Ramadan, amid heightened security but without major incidents. Nevertheless, the site remains an ongoing flashpoint, witnessing frequent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces. This year’s restrictions were recommended by Israel’s security establishment after discussions involving the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Defense Ministry, Israel Police, Shin Bet, and Israel Prison Service. The Kan public broadcaster reported that around 3,000 Israeli security personnel will be deployed at checkpoints daily during the holy month.
The Al-Aqsa compound, located at the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City, is known to Jews as Har ha-Bayit (Temple Mount) and to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif (The Noble Sanctuary). It is regarded as the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina and houses two significant landmarks: the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque (also known as the Qibli Mosque), built in the 8th century.
