Israel is expected to restrict access to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, siding with Minister of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir following his warning.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement on Monday, which prompted a response from the Hamas militant group. The latter denounced the proposed restrictions and the top Palestinian Islamic council called on all Muslims to visit Al-Aqsa regardless of the announcement.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the holiest sites in the world for Muslims and sits on a hilltop in Jerusalem's Old City inside a compound. It is also revered by Jews as the site of their temples of biblical times.
Rules about gaining access to the holy site have been a frequent source of friction, particularly during holidays such as Ramadan. This particular celebration begins this year on or around Mar. 10. Israel has already imposed restrictions in the past, usually by keeping out younger worshippers by arguing that doing so prevents violence, as per Reuters.
When asked about the possibility of restricting access for Israeli Muslims to Al-Aqsa, Netayahu's office said that the prime minister made a balanced decision to allow freedom of worship within the security needs determined by professionals.
The Israeli prime minister is currently under pressure from both far-right partners in his coalition who want to impose tougher curbs and countries in the region pushing to keep the status quo. Ben Gvir, who is the head of a hardline party in the government, said that people who hate Israel would use the event to show support for the Hamas leadership and incite violence.
The official said that the entry of tens of thousands of haters in a victory celebration on the Temple Mount is a security threat to the country. The top Palestinian Islamic assembly, the Supreme Fatwa Council, called on "everyone who can reach the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque to travel to it and protect it."
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Prompting Immediate Backlash
Hamas also described the restrictions as "a continuation of Zionist criminality and religious warfare" that are being led by the extremist settlers group. It called on Palestinians in Israel, Jerusalem, and the occupied West Bank to reject the criminal decision, according to Aljazeera.
On top of implementing restrictions at the holy site, Israeli forces have previously undertaken violent raids during Ramadan celebrations. The latest announcement also comes as the country warns that it will continue its assault on Gaza during the holiday, including in the densely populated Rafah area in the south.
During an interview, a former deputy chief of staff in the Israeli military, Dan Harel, said that such a restriction would be "unnecessary, foolish, and senseless." He argued that it could even ignite the entire Muslim world.
On the other hand, an Arab-Israeli lawmaker, Waleed Alhwashla, said in a post on social media that the restrictions would be "liable to pour unnecessary oil on the fire of violence." The chaos at the site, including police raids, riots, and others has often been a catalyst for wider violence, including a brief war between Israel and Hamas in 2021, said the New York Times.
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