Israel Restricts Palestinians’ Access To Aqsa Prayers

Only married men over 45 and married women over 35 would be allowed to enter the compound, Islam’s second holiest site, the police were quoted by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The number of special permits granted to Palestinian worshippers from the Gaza Strip and the rest of the West Bank was also limited to 5,000.

Meanwhile, clashes broke out between Israeli soldiers guarding the exit of the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem and Palestinian residents who wanted to cross the checkpoint to attend prayers in occupied Jerusalem, witnesses said.

The occupation army responded to stone-throwing with teargas grenades but no serious injuries were reported.

After the incident, the soldiers allowed through a few faithful of over 55 years of age, the witnesses added.

Israel claims fears of fresh attacks inside Israel, but Palestinians said the excessive restrictions are rather provocative.

“Israeli occupation forces were reinforced around the mosque, with some 3,000 soldiers deployed to guard the 5,000 worshippers,” Mohamed Ismail, the director of the mosque’s guards told IslamOnline.net Friday, October 31.

“With extensive checkpoints and soldiers blocking their way at the door of the holy site under security claims, Palestinians felt the pinch of these provocations,” Ismail lamented.

Israeli Chief of Staff Moshe Ya’alon warned in statements carried on Thursday, October 30, that the continued curfews, reoccupation of towns and severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinians, combined with the economic crisis they have caused, were increasing the threat to Israel’s security.

Palestinians defied the closures and checkpoints, with 120,000 performing prayers outside the mosque.