Muslim worshippers pray in Jerusalem streets as Al-Aqsa remains closed

Описание: (13 Mar 2026)
RESTRICTIONN SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jerusalem - 13 March 2026
1. Various of Muslim worshippers praying on the street as they were not allowed by the Israeli police to pray inside the compound of Al-Aqsa mosque for the Friday noon prayers
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Murad Al Ghoul, Palestinian resident of Jerusalem:
"The Israeli occupation used the pretext of war to close Al-Aqsa Mosque and prevented thousands of worshippers (from accessing the mosque) during the last ten days and the latter half of the blessed month of Ramadan. You know the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and what it means to Muslims and the Palestinian people to pray in Al-Aqsa mosque, especially during the last ten days (of the month of Ramadan)."
3. Various of Israeli police on the street where the worshippers are praying
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Haitham Al Zaghal, Palestinian resident of Jerusalem:
"The situation, God be praised, is very difficult for people in the Jerusalem area due to the Israeli closure and oppression. Why are people being kept away from praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque? Why are people being kept away from this prayer? That is freedom of worship; people should be allowed to pray."
5. Various of worshippers
6. Wide of Jerusalem
STORYLINE:
Muslim worshippers prayed in the streets of Jerusalem as the Al-Aqsa mosque compound remained closed for a second week by Israeli authorities following the war with Iran.

Israeli police deployed "extra forces" in Jerusalem ahead of the prayers, a police statement said. AP footage showed Israeli officers close to the worshipers praying outside the Al-Aqsa compound.

"This deployment was in preparation for the fourth Friday of Ramadan prayers, which were held in accordance with the restrictions and instructions issued by the Home Front Command."

Haitham Al Zaghal, a Palestinian resident of Jerusalem, questioned the Israeli decision of closing such an important mosque on Friday as Ramadan draws close to the end.

"Why are people being kept away from praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque? Why are people being kept away from this prayer? That is freedom of worship; people should be allowed to pray," he said.

The site is the third holiest in Islam and the holiest in Judaism because of it being the location of biblical temples.

Israel had implemented restrictions before war broke out with Iran, including capping the number of worshippers given permits to travel from the West Bank to Jerusalem.

AP video shot by: Shlomo Mor

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