Ramadan: the Israeli government decides to limit access to the Esplanade des Mosques

2024-02-19T07:31:39.463Z

Highlights: Ramadan, the holiest month in the Muslim calendar, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and its esplanade, the 3rd holiest place in Islam. Israeli security cabinet decided on Sunday evening, February 18, to impose restrictions on the access of Muslim worshipers this year. For the police, the army and the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, this is a dangerous decision that risks inflaming the entire region. The Arab parties speak of a new provocation from the supremacist Ben Gvir.

Ramadan will begin this year around March 10, against the backdrop of the war between Israel and Hamas. The situation is explosive, particularly in Jerusalem. Against the advice of those in charge…

Ramadan: the Israeli government decides to limit access to the Esplanade des Mosques

Ramadan will begin this year around March 10, against the backdrop of the war between Israel and Hamas. The situation is explosive, particularly in Jerusalem. Against the advice of security officials, the Israeli government decides to limit access to the Mosques Esplanade.

Palestinians pray in front of the Dome of the Rock for the first Friday prayer of the month of fasting, on the Esplanade des Mosques. Jerusalem, June 19, 2015. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Jerusalem,

Michel Paul

It is an annual meeting point. Ramadan, the holiest month in the Muslim calendar, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and its esplanade, the 3rd holiest place in Islam. A particularly explosive mixture. The Israeli security cabinet decided on Sunday evening, February 18, to impose restrictions on the access of Muslim worshipers this year.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thus accedes

to the requests of Itamar Ben Gvir

, the Minister of National Security, for the Palestinians of the West Bank, the inhabitants of East Jerusalem and for the first time also for the Israeli Arabs wishing to participate in the prayers.

A dangerous decision that risks igniting the entire region

At this stage, the selection criteria, including the age of the faithful and their place of residence, have not been made public. For the police, the army and the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, this is a dangerous decision that risks inflaming the entire region. The Arab parties speak of a new provocation from the supremacist Ben Gvir.

“

He is the real Prime Minister

,” underlines one commentator. “

This is Hamas' dream that will come true: Palestinians of all sides will unite

,” said an editorialist. For the left-wing daily

Haaretz

, it is a political farce which risks turning into a tragedy.

Also read: In the West Bank, the number of illegal settlements has exploded since the start of the war

Ramadan: the Israeli government decides to limit access to the Esplanade des Mosques

Ramadan: the Israeli government decides to limit access to the Esplanade des Mosques

A dangerous decision that risks igniting the entire region

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