Israel to Permit 10,000 Palestinian Worshippers to Al-Aqsa in Ramadan

As the holy month of Ramadan begins, a fragile calm settles once again over Jerusalem’s Old City — a place where faith and politics have been inseparably intertwined for decades. This year, Israeli authorities announced that 10,000 Palestinian worshippers from the West Bank will be permitted to enter Jerusalem to pray at the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque on Fridays during Ramadan.

While the announcement may sound like a gesture of religious accommodation, it has been met with mixed reactions. For many Palestinians, the decision highlights how limited access to one of Islam’s holiest sites has become. For Israeli officials, it represents an attempt to balance religious freedom with security concerns during a historically sensitive period.

Why Al-Aqsa Matters So Deeply

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, located in the heart of the Old City of Jerusalem, is revered by Muslims worldwide as the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina. Known as Al-Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary), it includes the iconic Dome of the Rock, whose golden dome dominates the city’s skyline.

For Jews, the same area is known as Temple Mount, believed to be the site of the First and Second Jewish Temples. This dual religious significance makes the compound one of the most contested religious spaces in the world.

Israel captured East Jerusalem during the 1967 war and later annexed it, a move not recognized by much of the international community. Administration of the mosque compound remains under the Jordanian-run Islamic Waqf, while Israeli security forces control access points.

What the Ramadan Decision Allows

According to the Israeli military body known as COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories), a maximum of 10,000 Palestinians from the West Bank will be allowed to enter Jerusalem for Friday prayers during Ramadan.

However, the policy comes with strict conditions:

Men must be 55 years and older

Women must be 50 years and older

Children under 12 may enter only with close family members

All worshippers must obtain special permits in advance

Entry remains subject to security screening

These restrictions drastically limit the number of eligible worshippers, especially younger adults and families who traditionally attend prayers together.

A Sharp Contrast to Previous Years

Before the outbreak of the war in Gaza in late 2023, Ramadan prayers at Al-Aqsa would draw hundreds of thousands of worshippers each Friday. Entire neighborhoods would travel together, and the Old City would transform into a center of spiritual energy, charity, and community.

This year’s cap of 10,000 worshippers represents only a small fraction of that number. Critics argue that the restrictions hollow out the spiritual meaning of Ramadan for Palestinians who view Al-Aqsa not just as a mosque, but as a symbol of their religious and national identity.

For many families in the West Bank, traveling to Jerusalem during Ramadan has been a tradition passed down through generations. The new limits mean that younger worshippers — often those most eager to participate — are left behind.

Security Concerns and Heightened Tensions

Ramadan has historically been a time of heightened tension in Jerusalem. Large gatherings at Al-Aqsa have frequently turned into flashpoints for clashes between worshippers and Israeli security forces.

This year, authorities have announced increased police deployment around the Old City and surrounding neighborhoods. Checkpoints will be reinforced, and movement in and out of Jerusalem will be tightly monitored.

Israeli officials argue that these measures are necessary to prevent unrest and ensure public safety. They point to past incidents in which political protests and violent confrontations erupted during prayer times.

Yet Palestinians and human rights groups say the security narrative masks a broader system of control over religious practice and freedom of movement.

Controversy Over Religious Leadership

Adding to the tension, reports have emerged that senior religious figures associated with Al-Aqsa have faced restrictions themselves. Some imams were temporarily barred from entering the compound during Ramadan preparations, a move widely criticized by Palestinian officials and religious authorities.

For worshippers, this was seen not only as a security decision but as an interference in religious life. Ramadan is traditionally a period when religious leaders play a central role in guiding prayer, charity, and communal unity.

Two Narratives, One Sacred Space

The Israeli government maintains that it is acting responsibly by allowing limited access while prioritizing security. Officials stress that freedom of worship must be balanced with preventing violence in a highly sensitive environment.

Palestinians, however, see the decision as another example of unequal control over their religious rights. They argue that age-based restrictions and permit systems undermine the spirit of Ramadan and deny many believers the chance to pray at one of Islam’s holiest sites.

What emerges is a familiar pattern: one sacred space carrying two deeply opposing narratives — one of security and control, and the other of faith and freedom.

A Ramadan of Reflection and Uncertainty

As Ramadan unfolds, Al-Aqsa will once again become a global focal point. The number of worshippers allowed inside may be smaller, but the symbolism remains immense.

For Palestinians who are permitted to enter, each prayer carries the weight of both devotion and resilience. For those denied access, the restrictions serve as a reminder of the political realities shaping daily life.

This Ramadan, Al-Aqsa stands not only as a place of worship, but as a measure of how unresolved conflict continues to shape even the most sacred moments. Whether the limited access will preserve calm or deepen resentment remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: in Jerusalem, faith never exists in isolation from history — and every prayer echoes far beyond the mosque walls.