Israeli authorities order shops near Al-Aqsa closed — Dawn
In East Jerusalem on Monday, dozens of Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, while Israeli authorities ordered Palestinian business owners in the Old City to close their establishments for Jewish prayers during the Sukkot holiday. Dawn reports, citing Anadolu Agency.
Videos published on social media show people performing Talmudic rituals, praying and singing in the eastern part of the compound. According to the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf and Palestinian media, more than 1,500 Israelis, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, entered the compound under police protection the day before to mark Sukkot.
Restrictions for business owners
According to the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, authorities ordered dozens of owners of shops, cafes and restaurants in the Cotton Merchants’ Market to close during holiday prayers. Residents living along the prayer route were also ordered not to leave their homes while the prayers were underway. This concerns about 200 people.
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The association noted that the Cotton Merchants’ Market, which leads to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, has 56 shops, cafes and restaurants. Business owners said restrictions had previously been imposed only for certain hours, whereas this time they were ordered not to operate for most days of the holiday.
Statements and reaction
According to the association, police initially notified merchants of the closures by telephone, and officers later visited the establishments in person. Business owners were not provided with a written order or detailed instructions; they were told that the restrictions were necessary for Jewish prayers in the market area.
Association lawyer Tal Hassin said police could have changed the prayer route, shortened the duration of the prayers or ensured protection for merchants and their property. Palestinian presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh called the visits to the compound “playing with fire and a dangerous provocation of the feelings of Muslims around the world” and said Israel seeks to ignite a religious war in the region.
