Israel restricts Palestinians’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque for 2nd Friday of Muslim holy month

JERUSALEM (MARCH 22, 2024 : Israeli authorities barred Palestinians from the West Bank from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem for the second consecutive Friday of the Muslims’ holy month of Ramadan. A large number of Israeli soldiers and police are deployed throughout the city to restrict Muslim faithful access to the mosque, witnesses told Anadolu. An Anadolu correspondent pointed out that several men and women were refused entry by Israeli forces, claiming they did not obtain the necessary permits. Palestinian Abdullah Hamayel, 63, told Anadolu that Israeli authorities denied him entry to Jerusalem, claiming that he did not obtain a permit, even though he was carrying his American passport. (Footage by Ameer Abed Rabbo /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)