The Israeli occupation imposed severe restrictions on the arrival of worshipers to Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform Friday prayers, forcing hundreds to perform prayers in the streets and alleys of Jerusalem.
The Wadi Hilweh Human Rights Information Center said that Friday prayers were held in several areas close to Al-Aqsa Mosque in the alleys and streets of Jerusalem after worshipers were prevented from continuing on their way to the mosque.
According to eyewitnesses, the occupation forces arrested dozens of Jerusalemites, especially young people, checked their identities, and subjected some of them to searches before preventing them from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The center published video clips of worshipers performing Friday prayers at Bab al-Sahira after being prevented from entering the Old City, and in a number of other streets.
He added that the Israeli police summoned Al-Murabit Abu Bakr Al-Shimi for investigation, who is banished from Al-Aqsa Mosque and usually performs prayers at the gates of Jerusalem.
For its part, the Islamic Endowments Department estimated the number of people who were able to perform prayers in the mosque at about 40,000, and the worshipers performed absentee prayers for the souls of the martyrs.
The occupation authorities prevent thousands of citizens from the West Bank governorates from reaching Jerusalem to perform prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque, as they require special permits to cross their military checkpoints surrounding the Holy City.
For its part, the official Palestinian News Agency said that the occupation forces prevented Friday prayers from being held in a sit-in tent set up in the Al-Bustan neighborhood in the town of Silwan, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
She pointed out that the tent is being set up “in rejection of the policy of demolition and displacement pursued by the occupation and its municipality in occupied Jerusalem against citizens with the aim of seizing their lands for the benefit of colonial and Judaization projects.”
She pointed out that a press conference was prevented from being held by the Committee for Defending the Lands of the Al-Bustan neighborhood and the neighborhood’s residents who are at risk of forced displacement.
According to the Wadi Hilweh Information Center, Israeli forces deployed around the tent and on the rooftops shortly before Friday prayer time.
He pointed out “the presence of (Israeli) forces at the sit-in tent (…) coinciding with the neighborhood residents’ calls to hold Friday prayers in the place (…) and to search young men and prevent press crews from being in the vicinity of the tent.”
Source : The island + social media sites + Agencies
