(14 Mar 2025)
RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Qalandiya checkpoint, West Bank – 14 March 2025
1. Wide worshippers gathered at Qalandiya checkpoint
2. Mid of worshippers at Qalandiya checkpoint
3. Worshippers at Qalandiya checkpoint as they headed towards Jerusalem on the second Friday for Ramadan prayers
4. Israeli security members at Qalandiya checkpoint
5. Various of worshippers gathered at Qalandiya checkpoint
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Tayseer Balawi, Jenin resident:
"I submitted a request for a permit and i got the permit to go to Jerusalem. We were surprised when they denied us to cross today. I went back and spoke with the soldier, showed him the permit, and presented him with the magnetic card. Then he make calls, and then he told us to go back to the checkpoint and try again. I tried again, but they refused to let me in. I have a permit from a higher authority than the soldier at the checkpoint. If there was anything wrong with me, they would not have allowed me to get the permit. However, they still denied us. But we are determined to go for worship, it’s not just for them (The Israelis ) to worship. all nations have the right to worship ."
7. Umm Fadi Judeh, 74, from Ramallah walking toward Qalandiya checkpoint
8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Umm Fadi Judeh, Ramallah resident:
"I wanted to go to Al-Aqsa. For the past two years i didn’t go there , and I am very eager to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque. That is why I prepared myself to visit the mosque today and stay there until the Taraweeh prayers. I have a visa, as I learned that those who have an American visa can stay in Jerusalem for as long as they want, without a specific time for departure, unlike those with a permit, who are allowed to enter from 5 a.m. and stay only until 5 p.m. I was very excited today, but unfortunately, I don’t know what to do now."
9. Cutaway of women walking toward Qalandiya checkpoint
10. SOUNDBITE(Arabic) Aisha Nassar, Jenin resident:
" I applied for permission through the website and my application was accepted and i got the permit. We came here today but when I tried to pass they didn’t let me in and I go back and tried for the second time and also they refused to let me in and when I tried for the third time – they told me that I am denied to cross by the intelligence department and if I don’t leave they will arrest me and as you see I am here."
11. Israeli security at Qalandiya checkpoint
12. Israeli security vehicle
13. Wide of Qalandiya checkpoint
STORYLINE:
Thousands of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank passed through the Qalandiya checkpoint as they headed towards Jerusalem on the second Friday for Ramadan prayers but some were prevented from crossing.
Men over 56 and women over 50 that passed a preview security checking were allowed to cross.
Qalandiya checkpoint is the largest crossing that lies between Jerusalem and Ramallah.
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, the Israeli government blocked Palestinians in the West Bank from visiting Israel.
The Israeli authority imposed restrictions on Palestinians heading to Jerusalem and permitted only men over 55, women over 50 to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque this Ramadan.
Aisha Nassar arrived at Qalandiya checkpoint from Jenin to go to Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers, Aisha left her home town at 3:00 a.m. but said she was prevented from crossing by the Israeli army despite having a permit.
Umm Fadi Judeh, 74, from Ramallah, wanted to go to Al-Aqsa but was not able to cross.
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