The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) prevented Palestinian citizens other than residents of the Old City in Occupied Jerusalem from reaching the Al-Aqsa Mosque for the Friday prayer.
The Israeli occupation police closed the roads leading to the Old City and the Damascus Gate and prevented Muslim worshipers from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Israeli police also set up dozens of roadblocks conducted extensive searches and checks on Palestinians’ IDs and prevented them from accessing the holy Islamic site.
Such restrictions forced hundreds of Palestinians to perform Friday prayers in Al-Misrara Square in front of the Damascus Gate.
Sheikh Yusef Abu Sneina during the Friday sermon called for frequenting the Mosque and stationing there. He also stressed the need to achieve national unity.
Furthermore the Israeli police arrested the Jerusalemite activist Haji Nihad Zugheer at the Qattanin market in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The IOA had previously barred Zugheer 42 from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Zugheer is considered one of the influential Palestinian figures in Jerusalem. He has a significant role in educating the rising generation in Jerusalem which angered the occupation security services.
The Israeli occupation targets Jerusalemites with arrests deportation orders and fines with the aim of dissuading them from frequenting the Al-Aqsa Mosque and leaving it an easy prey for Israeli settlers.
