Some 80,000 Muslim worshipers—including several thousand Palestinians from the West Bank—gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem for the first Friday noon prayer of Ramadan, which passed peacefully under heavy security. The Islamic holy month began on Wednesday this week and typically draws large crowds to Jerusalem’s Ancient City, prompting the deployment of thousands of police officers due to ongoing concerns about potential unrest at the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number of worshipers attended prayers this year?
Jerusalem’s Islamic Waqf, the Jordanian authority that administers the site, reported 80,000 worshipers in attendance. Last year, 90,000 people attended first Friday prayers, while before 2023, numbers reached the hundreds of thousands.
What restrictions were placed on West Bank Palestinians attending prayers?
Israeli authorities capped the number of Palestinian worshipers from the West Bank attending weekly Friday prayers at 10,000, as they did last year. Only males aged 55 and up, women 50 and up, and children 12 and below when accompanied by a first-degree relative were permitted to attend prayers at Al-Aqsa. These restrictions apply only to West Bank Palestinians.
What actions did Israeli officials grab regarding security at the site?
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir toured the site ahead of prayers and warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the peace would be “thrashed.” Thousands of police officers were deployed throughout the Old City and its environs. Some Palestinians with permits to cross into Jerusalem were reportedly turned back.
Following prayers, extensive roadblocks manned by Border Police officers were placed throughout the area. Hundreds of worshipers prayed outside the entrance to Al-Aqsa, and some individuals were issued restraining orders preventing them from entering the compound. Activist Muhammad Abu Hummus was among those forbidden from entering, citing what he characterized as tighter restrictions this year and the police’s recent closure of a community center in the Old City.
Police maintain that their actions are solely to ensure the safe arrival of worshipers and guarantee “full freedom of worship for members of all faiths.”
Given the site’s history of violence and its religious significance to both Muslims and Jews, will the current security measures be sufficient to prevent further unrest during the remainder of Ramadan?
