(21 Mar 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Qalandiya checkpoint, West Bank – 21 March 2025
1. Wide of worshippers gathered at Qalandiya checkpoint under the rain
2. Mid of worshippers, some carry umbrellas
3. Wide of Qalandiya checkpoint
4. Worshippers at Qalandiya checkpoint as they headed towards Jerusalem
5. Various of Israeli security members and vehicles at Qalandiya checkpoint
6. Mid of worshippers at Qalandiya checkpoint
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohammed abu Limon, Nablus resident:
"I left the house after the morning prayer, and we arrived at Qalandia. We entered the first checkpoint and then moved to the second checkup, where they checked my permit and the magnetic card, both valid. However, they sent me back and insisted that I return. I tried again, but they pushed me and forced me out of the area saying you are not allowed to go to Al-Aqsa mosque."
8. Worshippers at Qalandiya checkpoint
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rifaat Abdel Ghani, Nablus resident:
"I left Nablus city around 7:00 am in the morning , and we arrived here by around 8 o’clock. We stood in the line and went to the soldiers inside. They checked my ID, but I didn’t have a permit or a magnetic card. He told me to wait a little, and after waiting, he said, ‘go back to your house’."
10. Worshippers at Qalandiya checkpoint
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Samir Mustafa, Jenin resident:
"When I arrived here and tried to enter, I had a permit with me but I forgot my magnetic card. I was turned back even though I asked the soldier to check my ID and verify it on the computer to confirm that I didn’t have anything wrong and that I have a permit and am allowed to cross. I’m just trying to pray it’s the most important thing for me. Until now, I haven’t given up, and I am still waiting, hoping that God with the blessings of this rain will help me to cross and pray. I will not leave until I cross and pray."
12. People waiting at Qalandiya checkpoint
13. Wide of Qalandiya checkpoint
STORYLINE:
Worshippers from the occupied West Bank gathered at a checkpoint on the third Friday of Ramadan to cross to Jerusalem and pray at Al-Aqsa mosque.
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, the Israeli government blocked Palestinians in the West Bank from crossing to Jerusalem or visiting Israel.
Mohammed abu Limon, a Palestinian from Nablus, said that even though he had all the correct permissions, he was refused entry by Israeli authorities.
Samir Mustafa, a resident of Jenin, said that he was also not allowed to cross because he forgot his magnetic card.
"I asked the soldier to check my ID and verify it on the computer to confirm that I didn’t have anything wrong and that I have a permit and am allowed to cross," he said.
Mustafa added that he will remain waiting to cross and then pray at Al-Aqsa mosque as it is the "most important thing for him".
The Israeli authority imposed restrictions on Palestinians heading to Jerusalem and permitted only men over 55, and women over 50 to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque this Ramadan.
The Palestinian official Wafa news agency said that around 80,000 Palestinians were allowed to cross to Jerusalem for Friday prayers, under heavy restrictions.
AP video by Imad Isseid
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