Selangor Journal
Palestinians pray in front of the Dome of the Rock during the holy month of Ramadan, at the compound that houses Al-Aqsa Mosque, on May 8, 2021. — Picture by REUTERS

Israel imposes age restrictions on Palestinian males for Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque

JERUSALEM, April 6 — Israel on Tuesday banned Palestinian males between the ages of 12 and 40 in the occupied West Bank from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Palestinian women, children under 12 and men older than 50 can enter occupied East Jerusalem without permission if they would like to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque on Fridays, according to Anadolu Agency, citing the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT).

Men between the ages of 40 and 50 are required to obtain special permission to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque, it added.

Palestinians with first-degree relatives in Israel will be given permits to visit Sunday and Thursday, COGAT said, adding a further expansion of the permit will be discussed at a meeting next week that Defence Minister Benny Gantz will hold with security officials, the report added.

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are required to get special permission to visit holy sites, including Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and to visit relatives inside Israel.

To exit the occupied West Bank, Palestinians must use one of 23 checkpoints.

— Bernama

 

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