Israeli police increase security measures around the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem every Friday. They check the identity of Palestinian youth who come to pray, especially preventing some from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This situation causes tension at the Bab al-Asbat Gate. While intervening with the Palestinians, Israeli police have hit some of them with batons and carried out attacks that made them bleed.
According to images shared on social media, traces of blood on Palestinians’ clothing clearly demonstrate the police’s violence. It is known that during these incidents, the TRT News team was also attacked and cameraman Ömer Avvad fell to the ground after being pushed by the police. Israeli police intervened in media freedom by removing members of the press from the area.
- Despite Israel’s continued restrictions on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, 35,000 Muslims managed to perform Friday prayers in occupied Jerusalem.
- Israeli police have imposed severe restrictions, preventing thousands of people from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque since the start of the attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli and Palestinian Problem
Jerusalem and the West Bank have been under Israeli occupation since 1967. This has been the basis of political and territorial disputes between Palestinians and Israel. Al-Aqsa Mosque is at the center of these disputes and is a frequent point of conflict.