This Ramadan, which ends today, the Israeli assault on Palestinian identity and culture in Jerusalem reached a new level. Even before the month began, Israel issued restraining orders, barring several key religious figures, journalists and residents from al-Aqsa Mosque. Since the start of the year, more than 260 Palestinians have been denied entry to the mosque compound pursuant to such orders. On Fridays during the month of Ramadan, Israel blocked major roads leading to the Old City and al-Aqsa Mosque, and thousands of police officers and soldiers deployed to the area restricted the entry of worshippers. Israel also prohibited bringing iftar meals, ending the daily fast, into the al-Aqsa compound, and did not allow displaying the traditional Ramadan decorations in the Old City. When the Israeli-American attack on Iran began, Israeli authorities banned the entry of worshippers to al-Aqsa Mosque and to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre altogether. Entry to the Old City was also restricted, with only local residents permitted in. Israel ordered an overwhelming majority of Palestinian shop owners to shut down, financially hurting hundreds of families and thousands of people. Israel imposed severe restrictions on the entry of worshippers from Israel and East Jerusalem to al-Aqsa Mosque in 2024 and 2025 as well, as a result of which, in 2025, the number of Muslim worshippers at the compound was less than half the number a decade earlier. The assault on Palestinian culture and identity is not confined to Jerusalem. It takes place throughout the territory under Israeli control: in the West Bank, the military violently raids and desecrates mosques. Meanwhile, settler militias vandalize and set mosques on fire. As part of the genocide in the Gaza Strip, Israel has systematically destroyed religious and cultural institutions, heritage and archaeological sites, libraries and museums. The Israeli attack on heritage sites, tradition, and the daily fabric of Palestinian life in Jerusalem is meant to knock out yet another pillar sustaining Palestinian identity and to further the Israeli regime’s attempt to destroy Palestinian society.
Israel restricts Palestinian worship and culture in Jerusalem this Ramadan
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