• Israeli forces’ recent assault at the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the first night of Ramadan has sparked widespread condemnation for violently infringing on religious freedom, as shown in disturbing online video footage.
• Despite promises of no restrictions from the Israeli government, eyewitnesses report aggressive measures, including checkpoints, age-based entry limits, and intrusive searches during Ramadan, leading to international condemnation.
The recent aggression of Israeli forces at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the onset of Ramadan have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation for what is a blatant and infuriating assault on religious freedom. Video footage circulating online reveals the disturbing scenes of armed Israeli police officers physically assaulting Muslim worshippers in the Old City as they attempted to reach the holy site for taraweeh prayers.
Despite promises from the Israeli government on March 5 that Palestinian worshippers would face no restrictions during Ramadan, the reality on the ground tells a starkly different story. Israeli soldiers erected multiple checkpoints, blocking roads and aggressively obstructing tens of thousands of Muslims from reaching Al-Aqsa. Witnesses reported that only individuals over 40 were permitted entry, while younger worshippers faced intrusive bag searches and were mercilessly barred from practicing their faith.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi’s warning that these restrictions were pushing the region toward an “explosion” echoes the sentiments of those appalled by Israel’s actions. Safadi rightfully condemned Israel’s move to limit access during Ramadan, emphasizing that it amounted to a reprehensible attack on the fundamental right to worship freely.
Simultaneously, the dire conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza, who were forced to pray outdoors amidst the ruins of mosques decimated by over five months of Israeli bombardment, further intensifies the anguish Palestinians are made to endure during this holy month. The UN’s declaration that 80 percent of Gaza is now uninhabitable, paired with widespread hunger and a staggering death toll, paints a grim picture of the consequences of Israel’s relentless and aggressive genocidal campaign.
The decision to entrust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with authority over Al-Aqsa’s fate, despite internal disagreements and concerns, raises serious questions about the motivations behind such a move. Netanyahu’s rejection of recommendations to allow access for West Bank residents and the imposition of arbitrary age restrictions on worshippers point to a calculated effort to manipulate the demographics of the area, exacerbating tensions in an already volatile region.
The international community’s response, characterized by a mix of condemnation and passive silence, falls short of holding Israel accountable for its actions. As the world witnesses yet another chapter in Israel’s oppressive and tyrannical playbook unfold, it is essential to confront the stark reality that Israel’s actions at Al-Aqsa represent not only an affront to religious freedom but also a violation of basic human rights.
