Ammon News - The Jerusalem Governorate warned Tuesday of systematic restrictions that Israeli authorities plan to impose on worshippers from West Bank governorates seeking to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the upcoming month of Ramadan.

These measures include limiting attendance to no more than 10,000 worshippers on Fridays and imposing age restrictions for men over 55 and women over 50, constituting a blatant violation of freedom of worship guaranteed under international law, and an attempt to turn a fundamental religious right into a privilege subject to security conditions imposed by the Israeli occupation.

The Governorate affirmed in a statement that these measures form an integral part of Israel’s plan to Judaize Jerusalem, separate it from its Palestinian surroundings, and impose unilateral facts by force, affecting the historical and legal status quo of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. It stressed that all Israeli measures in Jerusalem and against its Islamic and Christian holy sites are null, void, and unlawful under international law and relevant UN resolutions.

The Governorate emphasized that Ramadan is a month of pure worship, and Israeli authorities have no right under any pretext to impose military checkpoints, restrictions, or measures that prevent citizens from reaching the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as such actions constitute blatant interference in Palestinian affairs and direct violations of the authority of the Islamic Waqf Department supervising the mosque, and a clear infringement on freedom of worship and the right of access to holy sites.

The Governorate also warned of increasing calls by extremist “Temple” groups to mobilize more colonists into the Al-Aqsa courtyards during Ramadan, particularly in its final ten days. This coincides with the rise in banning orders, which have reached approximately 180 since the start of the year, as part of a systematic use of bans to suppress the mosque’s worshippers and weaken Palestinian presence there.

The Governorate noted that on 14 February, the Israeli Knesset “Security Committee” recommended that Israeli police restrict access for West Bank worshippers to Jerusalem for prayer at the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, alongside preemptive measures described as preventing “incitement,” including detention campaigns, summonses, and bans targeting dozens of Jerusalemites.

The Governorate reiterated its appeal to the international community—particularly the United Nations, relevant agencies, and human rights and diplomatic institutions—to take immediate and effective action to halt these serious violations, ensure compliance with international humanitarian law and UN resolutions, protect Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem, and safeguard freedom of worship along with unobstructed access to these sacred sites without restrictions or discrimination.

WAFA