Experts Warn Backlash Likely if Israel Limits Access to Al-Aqsa Mosque During Ramadan
Imposing strict age restrictions on Muslims wishing to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem during the upcoming holiday month of Ramadan would spark a backlash across the region, experts and analysts told The Media Line this week.
Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has also warned against imposing such limitations, which were proposed by right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and reportedly backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Baharav-Mira reportedly said that taking such a step against Arab Israelis might face legal obstacles.
During times of security concerns, Israel routinely imposes age-based access restrictions on Palestinians from the West Bank and East Jerusalem. In the weeks after the Hamas attack on Israel of Oct. 7, only Muslim residents of the Old City of Jerusalem above the age of 60 were allowed to access the compound, according to the Ir Amim watchdog.
However, Ben-Gvir proposed limiting access during Ramadan only to Arab citizens of Israel over the age of 70, and completely banning Palestinians. Israeli security officials have not sought such strict limitations, and the government is reportedly considering limiting access to men above the age of 60 and women above the age of 50.
The Prime Minister’s Office has issued only a vague statement saying that Netanyahu has “made a balanced decision that allows freedom of religion with necessary security limits, which have been set by professional officials.”
Rasem Obaidat, a Jerusalem-based political analyst, told The Media Line that if the Israeli government imposes such harsh restrictions, large protests could well follow.
This could be the spark that is needed to spark a major backlash and protest across the region. Al-Aqsa is a red line for Palestinians in particular and Muslims in general, and it will unite them against Israel.
“This could be the spark that is needed to spark a major backlash and protest across the region,” Obaidat said. “Al-Aqsa is a red line for Palestinians in particular and Muslims in general, and it will unite them against Israel.”
According to a report by the Kan public broadcaster Monday, Shin Bet director Ronen Bar has warned that imposing restrictions on Arab Israelis would spark an angry backlash and play into the hands of Hamas.
Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, head of the Higher Islamic Council in East Jerusalem, issued a statement on Monday accusing Israel of attempting to empty Al-Aqsa of Muslim worshippers and saying that Israeli intentions to impose restrictions on the entry of Palestinian citizens to Al-Aqsa during Ramadan would lead the situation to explode.
Fadel Tahboub, an East Jerusalem-based political analyst, told The Media Line that such a decision is likely to lead to a major response.
“Ramadan is a holy month and emotions are high, and any decision to limit access to Al-Aqsa Mosque will lead to protests and confrontations,” Tahboub said.
Palestinian merchants in Jerusalem’s Old City told The Media Line that applying age restrictions would harm business too.
“Our economy relies heavily on Palestinian citizens of Israel, who fill the shops each year,” said Akrab, a clothing store owner.
“We haven’t done much business in months because of restrictions by police on who can get into the Old City since October 7, and now this? This could be the last thing most business owners need before going bankrupt,” said store owner Wadie Halawani.
