Israeli court upholds non-Muslim prayer ban at Al-Aqsa

An Israeli appeals court docket has overturned a decrease court docket ruling questioning the location’s establishment.

Israeli border police officers stand next to the Al Aqsa Mosque compound
Israel occupies East Jerusalem, which is residence to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound [File: Mahmoud Illean/AP Photo]

An Israeli appeals court docket has overturned a decrease court docket ruling questioning the authorized foundation of a longstanding ban on non-Muslim prayer on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem.

“The particular sensitivity of the Temple Mount can't be overstated,” Decide Einat Avman-Moller mentioned in her ruling on Wednesday, utilizing the Hebrew identify for the compound.

The decide mentioned Jewish worship there “must be outmoded by different pursuits, amongst them the safeguarding of public order”.

Earlier this week, a Justice of the Peace court docket dominated in favour of three Jewish appellants who had been banned from the Previous Metropolis by police for 15 days for praying on the website, stirring Palestinian fears of makes an attempt to vary the delicate establishment on the website.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is positioned contained in the landmark Previous Metropolis. The overwhelming majority of the worldwide neighborhood doesn't recognise Israeli sovereignty over East Jerusalem and considers it illegally occupied territory.

The compound is likely one of the holiest websites in Islam and is known as al-Haram al-Sharif, or the Noble Sanctuary. In line with an settlement in place since 1967, non-Muslims are allowed onto the location throughout visiting hours, however they're barred from praying there.

Jews consider the 35-acre compound is the place the biblical Jewish temples as soon as stood. Based mostly on conventional Jewish spiritual regulation proscribing entry into the location, and the agreed-upon establishment of the compound, Israel permits Jews to go to on situation they chorus from praying there.

Eradicating the ban on Sunday, Justice of the Peace court docket Decide Zion Saharai mentioned that whereas he had no intention of interfering in regulation enforcement on the website, the conduct of the three appellants “doesn't increase fear of hurt befalling nationwide safety, public security or particular person safety”.

Justice of the Peace’s courts may be overturned by district courts, with Israel’s Supreme Court docket a last course of enchantment.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas issued a press release calling Sunday’s ruling “a grave assault towards the historic establishment … and a flagrant problem to worldwide regulation”.

Israeli police repeatedly raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the course of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan this yr, which coincided with the Jewish Passover pageant, to be able to present safety for settler visits. Tons of of Palestinians have been wounded and arrested.

At the very least 16,000 Israelis are anticipated to take part in an annual “flag march” in and across the Previous Metropolis, marking its occupation by Israel within the 1967 Arab-Israeli warfare. The march will embody the Muslim quarter and embrace the Damascus Gate, the place Palestinians have a tendency to collect, stoking fears of additional tensions.

Palestinians view the march as provocative as Jewish settlers flaunt their “sovereignty” over the occupied territory. Earlier marches have included Israeli chants of “Demise to Arabs” and assaults on Palestinian houses and retailers within the Previous Metropolis.

Palestinian armed teams within the besieged Gaza Strip, together with Hamas, have warned that such occasions are “including gasoline to the hearth”. Final yr, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) underwent an 11-day warfare with Israel over makes an attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians in Jerusalem and raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Interactive on Al-Aqsa
Al-Aqsa Mosque raids, closures and restrictions by Israeli forces. (Al Jazeera)

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