- 'I did not understand why I was denied entry,' Palestinian woman says
RAMALLAH, Palestine
The Israeli army deployed large forces across the occupied West Bank on Friday, particularly at checkpoints leading to Jerusalem, tightening restrictions on Palestinians seeking to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque for the second Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Thousands of Palestinians gathered before dawn at the Qalandia military checkpoint north of Jerusalem in an attempt to reach the holy city for prayers.
Strict Israeli measures prevented dozens from entering, with soldiers citing failure to meet pre-set conditions, according to worshippers who said they were “turned back despite arriving early.”
Israeli restrictions
Israel approved a plan at the start of Ramadan limiting entry to 10,000 Palestinian worshippers for Friday prayers throughout the holy month, based on security recommendations.
Under the plan, Palestinians must obtain a special daily permit for each prayer. Entry is limited to men aged 55 and over, women 50 and over, and children aged under 12, accompanied by a first-degree relative.
The Israeli military said in a statement that all permits require prior security approval. Worshippers must also complete digital verification procedures at crossings when returning to the West Bank.
Ali Nawas, 58, said in an interview with Anadolu that he and his wife reached the Qalandia checkpoint, where soldiers allowed him to pass but denied entry to his wife despite her having a permit.
“I was forced to return with her. How could she go back to Nablus alone?” He said he left Nablus after dawn prayers and traveled more than an hour, only to be denied entry “within a minute.”
“Prayer at Al-Aqsa equals 500 prayers,” he said, referring to an Islamic belief that prayers at the mosque carry multiplied spiritual reward. He added that a prophetic tradition encourages Muslims to travel only to three mosques, including Al-Aqsa.
Denied to pray at Al-Aqsa
Joudat Jaradat, 65, from Ramallah, said soldiers scanned his magnetic permit card before telling him he was barred from entry without explanation.
“I am 65 years old, and they still prevented me from entering Jerusalem,” he said. “We have been deprived of visiting and praying at Al-Aqsa.”
Najati Oweida, who traveled from Hebron, said soldiers turned him back despite presenting a permit.
“The occupation claims it has provided facilitation, but the procedures are strict,” he said. “I only want to pray at Al-Aqsa. Why am I being prevented?”
Mariam Ramadan, 54, said she was also denied entry. “They told me to leave and accused me of lying,” she said. “I did not understand why I was denied entry.”
She added: “I came to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque. They prevented people with entry permits, even the elderly. They do not want large numbers to enter for prayer.”
Ramadan yearly draws hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, creating a festive atmosphere in Jerusalem as the mosque fills with worshippers and markets grow busy.
Since the Gaza war began on Oct. 8, 2023, and continued for two years, Israeli authorities have tightened movement restrictions at military checkpoints leading to Jerusalem.
Over the past two years, Israeli authorities have allowed only limited numbers of Palestinians into the city after they obtain army-issued permits, which are difficult to secure.
Palestinians view East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, while Israel considers the city, including its eastern and western sectors, its capital.
* Writing by Lina Altawell in Istanbul.
