JAKARTA - Muslim scholars and former grand mufti of Jerusalem said Israeli authorities plan to restrict Muslim access to the Al Aqsa Mosque for prayers during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.
Former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and head of the Supreme Islamic Council in Jerusalem Sheikh Ekrima Sabri expressed regret over the Israeli government's plan to restrict access to the third holiest mosque for Muslims during Ramadan, which begins midweek.
Israel's ill intentions were evident when Major General Avshalom Peled was appointed as the new police commander in occupied East Jerusalem in the first week of January, a move seen as an attempt to advance the plans of right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is the point of conflict.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz wrote, "It seems that Ben-Gvir is doing everything he can to fan the flames."
"Muslims welcome Ramadan with optimism, following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, who used to welcome this month at the end of Sha'ban," Sheikh Sabri told Anadolu, as quoted (13/2).
"However, regarding Jerusalem, we regret the harsh measures that will be imposed by the occupation authorities against Muslims who come to the Al-Aqsa Mosque," he said.
"The Israeli authorities have banned dozens of young people from entering the mosque and announced that they will not ease restrictions during Ramadan for worshippers coming from the occupied West Bank," he said.
"This means there will be stricter restrictions," said Sabri.
"The number of worshipers at Al-Aqsa will be lower than in previous years. This is contrary to freedom of worship and interferes with the implementation of the Muslim fasting," he added.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank usually travel to occupied East Jerusalem during Ramadan to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
However, since the war began on October 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have tightened restrictions at military checkpoints, limiting West Bank residents' access to Jerusalem.
Over the past two years, only a small number of people have received permits issued by the Israeli military, which Palestinians say are difficult to obtain. Authorities have not announced any special arrangements for this year's Ramadan.
In recent days, Israeli authorities have also issued temporary orders against hundreds of Palestinians in East Jerusalem - most of them young people - prohibiting them from entering Al-Aqsa during Ramadan. Some of the orders are valid for up to six months.
The steps come as Israel's right-wing government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, faces criticism from Palestinian officials over what they describe as changes to the long-standing "status quo" at the site.
However, the local police unilaterally allowed Israeli extremists to enter the mosque complex by force since 2003, despite repeated demands from the Islamic Waqf Department to stop the attacks.
"There is no doubt that the right-wing government aims to implement its aggressive plan regarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque," said Sabri.
"For years, they have demanded public access, open prayer, the use of ritual trumpets, and prostration. Ambitions that were once hidden have now become public," he said.
"We have long warned that Israel is trying to impose sovereignty on the site and reduce the authority of Islamic Waqf," Sabri explained.
However, Israel's actions are not limited to Al-Aqsa Mosque. The actions also extend to the demolition of Palestinian neighborhoods in occupied East Jerusalem in general, and particularly those near the mosque.
"The policy of demolition is a racist, unjust, illegal, and inhumane policy, and is an extension of the unjust British policy in Palestine during the British colonial period," he lamented.
Sabri also urged the Arab and Islamic communities to provide assistance to the Palestinians in Jerusalem and called on Arab and Muslim leaders to shoulder their responsibilities towards Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
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