Arab and Jewish Israeli officials warn of catastrophic consequences after reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will restrict access to Al Aqsa Mosque
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Politicians in Israel are sounding the alarm as reports mount that the country’s far-right government will impose strict limits on worship at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque over the holy month of Ramadan, which risks increasing already critical tensions in the region amid the Gaza War.
The warnings come after a spate of Israeli media reports on Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to accept severe restrictions on Muslim prayer at Al Aqsa, the third holiest site in Islam.
The reports say that the draft rules have been proposed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has a history of anti-Arab incitement, and has been linked to a defunct extremist organisation, Kach. The group was linked to terrorist attacks on Arabs and left-wing Israelis before being banned in Israel in 1994.
“Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir are aware of how sensitive Al Aqsa is in the Middle East. They are trying to burn things to the ground to stay in power,” Arab Israeli political leader Sami Abu Shehadeh told media on Tuesday.
“All Israeli decision-making since October 7 has been irrational. Logically, it is really easy to prevent violence over Ramadan: just allow people to pray,” he added.
Sunday’s reports, which were featured by a number of leading Israeli newspapers and TV stations, suggest that Mr Ben-Gvir is proposing to limit access to the compound to those at least above the age of 60.
That would revive a similar policy put in place after October 7, which authorities recently relaxed.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office subsequently issued a vague counter-statement that promised a “balanced decision that allows freedom of religion with necessary security limits, which have been set by professional officials”.
There is still a total ban on West Bank Palestinians entering Israel and east and west Jerusalem.
Mr Ben-Gvir’s reported plans would, however, also prevent large numbers of Palestinian citizens of Israel and Jerusalem Palestinians from praying at Al Aqsa.
Abdulazim Salhab, head of the Jerusalem Endowments Council, which is a division of the Jordanian government, warned of the possibility of “the situation exploding” as a result of the reported Israeli actions.
“It is the right of every Muslim to come and pray in the holy Al Aqsa Mosque,” Mr Salhab told official Jordanian television.
“Security cannot be an excuse. Putting age restrictions is totally rejected,” he said.
Israeli policy towards Al Aqsa is a frequent cause of violence with Palestinians.
Hamas, which Israel is fighting in the Gaza Strip after the group launched the October 7 massacre in southern Israel, dubbed its unprecedented assault Operation Al Aqsa Floods.
Israeli politician Merav Michaeli told media that such restrictions will significantly escalate tensions, leading to a “religious war”.
“This is my worry,” Ms Michaeli, the Labor Party leader, said.
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