The prime minister’s office announced on Tuesday that Israel will permit the same number of Muslim worshippers to enter Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque during the first week of Ramadan as it has in the past. “In the first week of Ramadan, worshippers will be allowed to enter the Temple Mount, in similar numbers to those in previous years,” the statement said, using the Jewish term for the site. “Every week there will be a situation assessment in terms of security and safety and a decision will be made accordingly,” it added. Tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers gather at the Al-Aqsa mosque to observe Ramadan prayers each year. This year’s Ramadan coincides with Israel’s ongoing military assault in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for Hamas’ October 7 strike, which left seven people dead.
Regarding prayer in Jerusalem, Israel has been evaluating how to handle Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting that is scheduled to begin on March 10 or 11, depending on the lunar calendar. Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir had recently said that Palestinian residents of the West Bank “should not be allowed” entry to Jerusalem to pray during Ramadan. “We cannot take risks,” he said, adding: “We cannot have women and children hostage in Gaza and allow celebrations for Hamas on the Temple Mount.” Ben Gvir leads a hard-right party advocating Jewish control of the compound. Days later, the United States called on Israel to allow Muslims to worship at Al-Aqsa.
“It’s not just a matter of granting people religious freedom that they deserve… it’s also a matter that directly is important to Israel’s security,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. “It is not in Israel’s security interest to inflame tensions in the West Bank or in the broader region.” Hamas has called for a mass movement on Al-Aqsa for the start of Ramadan. “Ramadan is sacred to Muslims; its sanctity will be upheld this year, as it is every year,” the Israeli government statement said after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting of all security agencies on Tuesday.
