Palestinian worshippers were prevented from marking the end of Ramadan with prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Friday, as Israeli authorities maintained a closure imposed earlier this month citing security concerns amid ongoing conflict with Iran. The ban prompted calls for worshippers to gather near the Old City, and resulted in clashes with Israeli police who used riot control measures.
The closure, which began earlier in Ramadan, has been described as an “unprecedented violation” by Palestinian officials, and has drawn condemnation from the League of Arab States. Israeli authorities initiated the closure following the launch of military operations against Iran, citing a state of emergency. The move prevents Muslims from accessing the holy site during the final days of the fasting month and for Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
According to reports, the Old City of Jerusalem, typically bustling with activity in the days leading up to Eid al-Fitr, was unusually quiet. Israeli restrictions limited access to the area, and Palestinian shop owners were largely prevented from opening their businesses, with exceptions made only for pharmacies and essential food stores. Palestinian merchants reported significant economic hardship as a result of the measures.
Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, the former grand mufti of Jerusalem and a senior imam at Al-Aqsa, condemned the decision as “unjustified,” stating it “signifies police control under the pretext of security” and asserted that it “contravenes freedom of worship.”
The League of Arab States issued a statement on March 16th, denouncing the 16-day closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque gates as a “flagrant violation” of the established historical status quo. The League emphasized that Israel, as an occupying power, lacks sovereignty over Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem and its holy sites. The statement affirmed that the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, under Jordanian authority, remains the sole legitimate administrator of the site, and that Israel has no right to restrict Muslim worship at the complex.
Prior closures of the Al-Aqsa Mosque have been rare in recent decades. The site was briefly closed in 2014 and 2017 during periods of heightened tension in Jerusalem. A more prolonged closure occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic for public health reasons. In June of last year, Israel similarly shut the site during a 12-day conflict with Iran, a move viewed by many Palestinians as unprecedented at the time.
Earlier in February, approximately 100,000 Palestinian worshippers were able to attend Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa, despite severe Israeli restrictions on access. Those restrictions included thorough security screenings and limitations on who could enter the compound, allowing only men over 55, women over 50, and children under 12 accompanied by a relative to pass through checkpoints.
As of Friday, Israeli authorities have not announced a timeline for lifting the closure, and the League of Arab States has not indicated any further diplomatic action beyond its initial condemnation.