Israeli authorities are reportedly planning to restrict Muslim worshippers’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem during the upcoming Ramadan, according to former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Sheikh Ekrima Sabri. Speaking to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, he said signs of this plan appeared earlier in January when Major General Avshalom Peled was appointed as the new police commander in East Jerusalem. The move is viewed as part of far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s broader agenda concerning control over the mosque.

Sheikh Sabri stated that Israeli authorities have already imposed restrictions on young worshippers and indicated that entry rules for Muslims from the occupied West Bank would not be eased. He warned that this would result in fewer worshippers at Al-Aqsa compared to previous years, calling the measures a violation of freedom of worship and an obstacle to Muslims’ observance of Ramadan.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Minister Ben-Gvir is taking actions that could further inflame tensions around the holy site.