The Israeli government has decided against imposing new restrictions on access to a significant mosque in Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a move that could help ease tensions at a site that has been a focal point for unrest.
During a meeting on Tuesday night led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, security officials decided to allow a similar number of worshipers to enter the Aqsa Mosque compound during Ramadan as in previous years, according to a statement from Mr. Netanyahu’s office. Ramadan is expected to begin in a few days, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon.
Israel has historically restricted access to the compound, which holds significance for both Muslims and Jews, during Ramadan for Palestinians from the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This year, there were calls from far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to limit access for Arab citizens of Israel as well.
The decision made on Tuesday put an end to the proposed restrictions by Mr. Ben-Gvir, but also allowed for ongoing security assessments. “A weekly assessment of the security and safety aspects will be held; a decision will be made accordingly,” stated the prime minister’s office.
The mosque compound has been a frequent site of violent clashes, with confrontations in May 2021 contributing to an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas.
As Ramadan approaches amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, concerns about escalation at the site have heightened. President Joe Biden warned on Tuesday that a failure to reach a cease-fire deal before Ramadan could be very dangerous.
Mansour Abbas, an Arab Israeli member of the Israeli Parliament, commended the decision to allow Muslim worshipers at Al Aqsa Mosque freedom of worship. “I congratulate the Prime Minister for the responsible decision,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
However, Mr. Ben-Gvir expressed worries that the decision could undermine efforts to combat Hamas, who attacked Israel in October. “Hamas celebrations on the Temple Mount do not equal complete victory,” he wrote on X.
Hamas has previously opposed any Israeli restrictions on worship at Al Aqsa, with a leader calling on Palestinians to use the mosque as a site of confrontation.
In Muslim tradition, Al Aqsa is where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven, and thousands of Muslims visit the mosque daily during Ramadan. For Jews, the area is known as the Temple Mount, as it was the site of two ancient Jewish temples.
Matthew Mpoke Bigg contributed to this report.
