Wartime closures at Jerusalem holy sites raise fears of lasting shift among Palestinians
Palestinians say sweeping restrictions during Ramadan and ahead of Eid reflect security concerns, but there is concern they could ultimately reshape access to worship in the Old City.
As Ramadan drew to a close and Muslims begin marking Eid al-Fitr, the near-total closure of Jerusalem’s Old City and its holy sites has triggered growing concern among Palestinians — not only over immediate restrictions but over what they see as a deeper shift in control over access to worship.
While many religious leaders say they understand the security risks posed by the current US and Israeli conflict with Iran, and the threat of missile attacks, they warn that the sweeping shutdown of sites like Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre risks setting a lasting precedent.
The security situation remains dire as Iran continues to strike Jerusalem and surrounding areas. On Friday, debris from an intercepted Iranian missile hit a parking lot in the Old City, according to Israeli authorities. In the three weeks since the war began, several missile fragments have landed near the city, and a direct strike in Beit Shemesh, about 18 miles west of Jerusalem, killed nine people on March 1.
Throughout Jerusalem, Israeli authorities have banned all gatherings of more than 50 people and closed all gates to the Al-Aqsa compound early in the conflict, halting prayers at Islam’s third-holiest site during the final days of Ramadan. Access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was also suspended, disrupting Christian worship during the Lenten season and ahead of Easter.
