The coordinator of government operations in Judea and Samaria, Major General Rasan Aliyan, announced late Monday a series of civil measures for the Palestinian population, with or without Israeli citizenship, on the occasion of the month of Ramadan, in accordance with the recommendation of the security bodies and with the aim of allowing freedom of religious worship for the Palestinian public.
As part of the measures, the entry of Palestinian worshipers to the Temple Mount for Friday prayers during the month of Ramadan was approved. The entry of women will be allowed at all ages and the entry of children up to the age of 12 will be allowed without the need for an existing permit. Entry for men aged 55 and over will be granted without an existing permit and for men aged 45 and over it will be subject to an existing permit. All permits are conditional on receiving a security clearance.
Israel eases Palestinian entry restrictions to Aqsa ahead of Ramadan https://t.co/y1MjXOhx5D by @RinaBassist
ā Al-Monitor (@AlMonitor) March 21, 2023
In addition, on the occasion of Ramadan, family visits to Israel were approved for Palestinian residents of Judea and Samaria, as well as visits by relatives in Judea and Samaria from foreign countries. All permits will be issued subject to security approval.
Palestinians living in Judea and Samaria will be able to book tickets for designated flights abroad through the Ramon Airport by the Israeli southern city of Eilat during the month of Ramadan. Also, during the month of Ramadan, the hours of operation will be extended at the various Judea and Samaria crossings. Residents of the Gaza Strip will be allowed a limited quota for visits to Jerusalem on Sunday through Thursday, for women aged 50 and over and for men aged 55 and over.
The coordinator of government operations in the territories said that the continuation of the civil policy will be possible according to the assessment of the situation and the security stability. General Rasan Aliyan, who speaks Arabic as his mother tongue, informed the senior officials of the Palestinian Authority and the relevant parties in the international community about the measures.
Palestinians clean up and decorate al-Aqsa and its courtyards to welcome the holy month of Ramadan. š š pic.twitter.com/jNQRk4jLzf
ā SHABIR HUSSAIN (@ShabirHnaik) March 20, 2023
The Israel Police added that "past experience shows that during Ramadan there are those who try to take advantage of the holiday to spread inflammatory material on social networks, false rumors, and disinformation, in particular in relation to the holy places, including terrorist organizations and terrorist elements. They cynically take advantage of young people who feed on that incitement and make them the holy places and desecrate them while harming a large public of worshipers and the holiday routine, among other things causing riots and inappropriate and humiliating behavior."
