Al-Aqsa Mosque access restrictions increase for Palestinians

Israeli authorities have intensified the use of summons and expulsion orders targeting residents of Jerusalem and Palestinian activists from the West Bank, specifically regarding access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This surge in restrictions coincides with the approaching Jewish holiday season.

The campaign has focused on religious figures, employees of the Islamic Waqf Department, and former prisoners. According to the Wadi Halta Information Center, authorities often use a cycle of short-term expulsions—sometimes delivered via WhatsApp—to create a continuous ban. Individuals are frequently summoned for questioning and issued one-week bans that are immediately eligible for extension or renewal, effectively preventing long-term access.

Notable recent cases include the summons of Dr. Sheikh Iyad al-Abbasi, a Sharia judge and Waqf employee, and Yousef al-Rishq, both of whom received expulsion orders following investigations.