Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, has assured that the country will respect the freedom of worship during Ramadan while warning against any attempts to challenge it.
In a video message, Gallant stated, “The State of Israel respects the freedom of worship at Al-Aqsa and all holy places,” referring to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem.
He cautioned that the month of Ramadan could be a period of conflict and emphasized that Israel is prepared for any provocation. The remarks come amid concerns about tensions during Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, which has been a flashpoint for violence in previous years.
During Ramadan, thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of Muslims gather at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound for prayers. However, the armed wing of the Hamas militant group recently called on its supporters to mobilize and head toward the compound. The site holds significance for both Islam, as the third-holiest site, and Judaism, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.
This year, Israel has announced restrictions on access to the compound during Ramadan, citing security concerns due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israel’s hard-right Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, expressed his desire for stricter restrictions, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the numbers admitted would be similar to last year.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, has criticized Israel’s limitations on Muslim worshippers’ access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, warning that it could lead to an “explosive” situation. He stated that Jordan, which oversees the holy site, rejected Israel’s decision to limit access during Ramadan, given the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Safadi, along with the Vatican’s foreign minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher, emphasized the importance of respecting the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and allowing worshippers to perform their religious duties without restrictions.
The war in Gaza, which has been ongoing for six months, was triggered by an unprecedented attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7
