Israel to Limit Al-Aqsa Access During Ramadan

February 14, 2026 | 06:26 pm

The Dome of the Rock (a golden-domed shrine) stands in the center of the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, in the Old City of Jerusalem, Palestine, February 13, 2026. Jerusalem, or Al-Quds, remains one of the world's oldest cities and a center for three monotheistic religions. For Jews, the Western Wall is the holiest site, while Christians revere the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as their primary site. For Muslims, the Al-Aqsa area is the third-holiest site and the location of the Prophet Muhammad's Isra Mi'raj journey. The Al-Aqsa mosque (a grey-domed mosque) is the primary place of prayer located to the south within the same complex. Antara/Muhammad Adimaja

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israeli authorities plan to restrict Muslim access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers during Ramadan, according to a prominent scholar and former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, in an interview with Anadolu. Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the former Grand Mufti and head of the Supreme Islamic Council in Jerusalem, expressed deep regret over Israel's plans to limit access to the holy site for Muslims during the fasting month.

Israel's hostile intentions are evident following the appointment of Major General Avshalom Peled as the new police commander in occupied East Jerusalem during the first week of January. This move is perceived as an effort to advance right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s plan to seize the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a persistent focal point of conflict. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz noted that Ben-Gvir appears to be doing everything in his power to further ignite the conflict.

"Muslims welcome Ramadan with optimism, following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, who used to welcome the month at the end of Shaaban. But regarding Jerusalem, we regret the harsh measures the occupying authorities will impose on Muslims coming to Al-Aqsa Mosque," Sheikh Sabri told Anadolu. 

"Israeli authorities have already barred dozens of young men from entering the mosque and announced that they will not ease restrictions during Ramadan for worshippers arriving from the occupied West Bank," Sabri stated.

According to him, this means there will be stricter restrictions. The number of worshippers at Al-Aqsa will be lower than in previous years, contrary to the freedom of worship, and disrupting the observance of Ramadan by Muslims

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian residents from the West Bank typically travel to occupied East Jerusalem during Ramadan to pray at Al-Aqsa. However, since October 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have tightened military checkpoints, severely limiting West Bank residents' access to Jerusalem.

As reported by Middle East Monitor, over the past two years, only a small number of people have secured military permits, which Palestinians find increasingly difficult to obtain. Authorities have yet to announce any specific arrangements for this year's Ramadan.

In recent days, Israeli authorities have also issued temporary orders against hundreds of Palestinian residents in occupied East Jerusalem, primarily young men, prohibiting them from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan. Some of these orders are set to last for up to six months.

These measures come as the right-wing Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, faces backlash from Palestinian officials over what they describe as a violation of the long-standing 'status quo' at the site.

Furthermore, local police have unilaterally allowed Israeli extremists to forcibly enter the mosque complex since 2003, despite repeated demands from the Islamic Waqf Department to halt such incursions.

"There is no doubt the right-wing government aims to implement its aggressive plan regarding al-Aqsa Mosque. For years, they demanded public entries, open prayers, the use of ritual horns, and prostration. What were once hidden ambitions have now become public," Sabri remarked.

"We have long warned that Israel seeks to impose sovereignty over the site and reduce the Islamic Waqf’s authority," he added.

However, Israel's actions are not confined to the Al-Aqsa Mosque alone; they also extend to the destruction of Palestinian neighborhoods in occupied East Jerusalem, particularly those surrounding the mosque.

"The demolition policy is a racist, unjust, illegal, and inhumane policy, and it is an extension of Britain’s unjust policy in Palestine during the period of British colonial rule," he lamented.

Sabri urged the Arab and Islamic communities to provide aid to Palestinian residents in Jerusalem and called on Arab and Muslim leaders to fulfill their responsibilities toward Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Read: UK Decision to Ban Palestine Action Unlawful, Court Rules

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