PHOTOS: Who is and isn’t allowed into Jerusalem on Ramadan

Tens of thousands of Palestinians crossed through Israeli checkpoints Friday morning to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Photos and text by Oren Ziv/Activestills.org

Palestinian women cross Qalandiya checkpoint into Jerusalem's A-Ram neighborhood during the first Friday of Ramadan. The Israeli authorities limited crossing to women, children, and men over the age of 40. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Palestinian women cross Qalandiya checkpoint into Jerusalem’s A-Ram neighborhood during the first Friday of Ramadan. The Israeli authorities limited crossing to women, children, and men over the age of 40. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank crossed through Qalandiya checkpoint on their way to Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday to mark the first Friday of Ramadan. This year, the Israeli authorities allowed entry to women and girls of all ages, as well as men over 40 and boys under the age of 11. According to various sources, restrictions were eased due to pressure by the Trump administration.

Additionally, small groups of teenagers — who are barred from crossing the checkpoint — tried to cross over the separation barrier adjacent to the checkpoint using ladders. In response, Israeli soldiers crossed into Palestinian territory and confiscated the ladders.

On Thursday Israeli authorities announced that for the first time in a year and a half, a few hundred Palestinian men would be allowed to exit Gaza in organized rides and join the Friday prayers in Al-Aqsa. According to the IDF Spokesperson, since the early hours of the morning approximately 65,000 Palestinians crossed through Israeli checkpoints on their way to pray in Jerusalem.

A Palestinian man and his son are turned away from Qalandiya checkpoint after being forbidden from crossing over to Jerusalem on the first Friday of Ramadan. Entry into the city is limited to women and children, as well as men over 40, June 2, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
A Palestinian man and his son are turned away from Qalandiya checkpoint after being forbidden from crossing over to Jerusalem on the first Friday of Ramadan. Entry into the city is limited to women and children, as well as men over 40, June 2, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

 

Palestinian women cross Qalandiya checkpoint into Jerusalem's A-Ram neighborhood during the first Friday of Ramadan. The Israeli authorities limited crossing to women, children, and men over the age of 40. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Palestinian women cross Qalandiya checkpoint into Jerusalem’s A-Ram neighborhood during the first Friday of Ramadan. The Israeli authorities limited crossing to women, children, and men over the age of 40. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

 

Palestinian women and children, along with men over the age of 40, walk through Qalandiya checkpoint toward Jerusalem on the first Friday of Ramadan, June 2, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Palestinian women and children, along with men over the age of 40, walk through Qalandiya checkpoint toward Jerusalem on the first Friday of Ramadan, June 2, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

 

Palestinian women cross Qalandiya checkpoint into Jerusalem's A-Ram neighborhood during the first Friday of Ramadan. The Israeli authorities limited crossing to women, children, and men over the age of 40. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Palestinian women cross Qalandiya checkpoint into Jerusalem’s A-Ram neighborhood during the first Friday of Ramadan. The Israeli authorities limited crossing to women, children, and men over the age of 40. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

 

Palestinian teens take a selfie with the separation wall, next to Qalandiya checkpoint in the West Bank on the first Friday of Ramadan, June 2, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Palestinians take a selfie with the separation wall, next to Qalandiya checkpoint in the West Bank on the first Friday of Ramadan, June 2, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

 

Israeli Border Police officers confiscate a ladder used by Palestinians to climb over the separation barrier into the A-Ram neighborhood of Jerusalem on the first Friday of Ramadan, June 2, 2017. Entry into the city during the holiday is limited to Palestinian women and children, as well as men over 40. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Israeli Border Police officers confiscate a ladder used by Palestinians to climb over the separation barrier into the A-Ram neighborhood of Jerusalem on the first Friday of Ramadan, June 2, 2017. Entry into the city during the holiday is limited to Palestinian women and children, as well as men over 40. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

This post is also published in Hebrew on Local Call.