As the blessed month of Ramadan approaches, Israeli security forces are preparing for the busiest month of the year, especially considering the ongoing war in Gaza. This year, the situation is further complicated by the unprecedented unrest among settler groups and extreme right-wingers in Israel following the defeat on October 7, a situation that Israel is still struggling to address despite the extensive damage inflicted on Gaza and the declared war on the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Jerusalem. This makes the security preparations by Israeli authorities for this sacred month the most sensitive since the Israeli occupation of the mosque in 1967 due to the unparalleled circumstances faced.
The upcoming Ramadan season will coincide with several times of incursions at Al-Aqsa Mosque, among them the Purim festival falling in the middle of Ramadan. While Purim is not usually a major time for incursions, this year’s timing alongside the challenges of Ramadan and the “Al-Aqsa Flood” battle gives it particular significance for extremist temple groups.
Israeli authorities typically face two levels of challenges concerning Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque:
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The first level involves the Jerusalemite youth and Palestinians from areas along the Green Line who usually have access to the mosque due to holding Israeli ID cards. These youths, especially the Jerusalemite youth, have historically posed the greatest security burden for Israeli security forces at the mosque. They consider themselves in a continuous confrontation with the Israeli occupation and have been at the forefront of many clashes with the occupying forces inside Al-Aqsa Mosque.
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The second level pertains to Palestinians from the West Bank, who are typically restricted from accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque except during Ramadan, where limited numbers of specified demographics – mostly men and women of certain ages from the West Bank with permits – are allowed access especially on Fridays.
Increasing the numbers inside the mosque poses a significant security challenge as it complicates Israeli security control and hampers managing potential disturbances or conflicts easily. Israel fears the upcoming Ramadan as one of the most challenging months, especially with the ongoing regional turmoil since the October 7 flare-up.
The post continues with an analysis of the political motivations and potential implications surrounding the handling of the security situation at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, emphasizing the overarching power dynamics and historical tensions surrounding access to the holy site.
