Sheikh Ekrima Sabri Urges Palestinians to Stand Firm at Al-Aqsa During Ramadan Amid Israeli Restrictions

Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, has called on Palestinians to intensify their presence at the mosque in occupied East Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramadan, despite increasing Israeli restrictions.

“The holy month (Ramadan) is upon us, and our Palestinian people remain steadfast on their land, refusing displacement and compromise,” said Sheikh Sabri, who also serves as the head of the Higher Muslim Committee in Jerusalem.

In a statement on Friday, he accused Israeli authorities of escalating measures against Palestinian worshippers and attempting to disrupt their prayers at Al-Aqsa, a practice he described as a violation of religious freedom.

Israeli Restrictions on Worshippers

Every year during Ramadan, Israeli authorities impose restrictions on Palestinian access to Al-Aqsa. This year, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that police will bar Palestinians recently released from Israeli jails from entering the site. Additionally, 3,000 security personnel will be deployed daily at checkpoints leading to East Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa throughout Ramadan.

Israeli police have also recommended limiting the number of permits issued to Palestinians from the occupied West Bank. According to KAN, only 10,000 permits will be granted, and access will be restricted to men over 55 and women over 50.

Calls for Regional Support

Sheikh Sabri, an outspoken critic of the decades-long Israeli occupation, urged Arab and Islamic nations to unite in efforts to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“The Israeli occupation attempts every year to disrupt Muslim worship at Al-Aqsa,” he said, emphasizing the symbolic and religious significance of the mosque to Muslims worldwide.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is Islam’s third-holiest site. However, it remains a focal point of tensions as Jewish groups refer to the area as the Temple Mount, claiming it was the site of two ancient Jewish temples.

Historical and Legal Context

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and formally annexed the city in 1980, a move never recognized by the international community.

In a July 2023 ruling, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared that Israel’s prolonged occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal and called for the evacuation of all Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

As Ramadan approaches, tensions at Al-Aqsa are expected to rise, with Palestinian worshippers determined to assert their right to pray at the holy site despite mounting restrictions.