Far-right Israelis rally near Al-Aqsa, police block worshippers
Israeli far-right activists held a gathering with music and dancing near the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Friday, as police closed two gates and barred young Palestinian worshippers from entering Islam’s third holiest site. Witnesses reported restrictions and celebrations marking the anniversary of East Jerusalem’s occupation.
Israeli far-right activists staged a provocative gathering near the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Friday morning, accompanied by music and dancing, while Israeli police closed access gates and prevented young Palestinian worshippers from entering the holy site. Witnesses told Anadolu that the event took place near Bab al-Asbat (Lions’ Gate) to mark the Hebrew calendar anniversary of Israel’s 1967 occupation of East Jerusalem.
Restrictions and police presence
According to witnesses, participants played music and danced near the compound while police simultaneously closed the Bab al-Asbat and Bab al-Malik Faisal gates, blocking young Palestinians from entering for Friday prayers. Police also imposed additional restrictions on faithful attempting to reach Al-Aqsa. As of 0830GMT, Israeli police had not issued a statement on the developments. The compound has long been a flashpoint, with Palestinians viewing settler incursions and access restrictions as part of Israel’s systematic efforts to alter Jerusalem’s demographic and religious character.
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