100,000 Worshippers Defy Israel's 10,000 Limit at Al-Aqsa During Ramadan

Men over 55, women over 50, children under 12. These are Israel's criteria for Palestinians seeking to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan. But last Friday, 100,000 worshippers gathered at the holy site—ten times Israel's stated limit of 10,000.

The gap between policy and reality tells a story that goes far beyond crowd control.

Permits Don't Guarantee Passage

Najati Oweida traveled from Hebron with the required permit, only to be turned away by Israeli soldiers. "The occupation claims it has provided facilitation, but the procedures are strict," he said. "I only want to pray at Al-Aqsa. Why am I being prevented?"

Ali Nawas, 58, made the hour-plus journey from Nablus with his wife, both carrying permits. At the Qalandiya checkpoint, his wife was denied entry despite her documentation. "I was forced to return with her. How could she go back to Nablus alone?" he told reporters.

These aren't isolated incidents. Israeli authorities have banned 280 Jerusalem residents—including religious figures, journalists, and former prisoners—from attending prayers at Al-Aqsa entirely. The restrictions have intensified since the Gaza war began in October 2023.

Security Logic Meets Sacred Space

Israel frames these measures as security necessities. In a region where religious gatherings can quickly become political flashpoints, controlling access to one of Islam's holiest sites seems, from this perspective, like prudent risk management. The heavy deployment of Israeli forces around Jerusalem underscores these concerns.

But the numbers reveal the limitations of this approach. The first Friday of Ramadan drew 80,000 worshippers, the second 100,000—both far exceeding official limits. Either Israel's enforcement is selectively applied, or the restrictions are simply unenforceable when faced with such determination.

Al-Aqsa Mosque isn't just a place of worship—it's the third holiest site in Islam and a powerful symbol of Palestinian identity. For Palestinians who view East Jerusalem as their future capital, restrictions on access carry political weight that extends far beyond religious observance.

The Arithmetic of Control

What happens when an immovable policy meets an unstoppable force? The 10,000 vs 100,000 disparity suggests that Israel's control over Al-Aqsa access is more complex than official statements indicate.

The permit system creates a bureaucratic maze that seems designed more to discourage than facilitate. Digital verification procedures, age restrictions, and checkpoint screenings turn what should be a spiritual journey into an obstacle course. Yet people persist, traveling hours only to potentially be turned away.

This dynamic raises questions about the effectiveness of restrictions that can't actually restrict. If 100,000 people can gather despite a 10,000 limit, what purpose do the restrictions serve beyond creating frustration and highlighting the power imbalance?

Beyond the Numbers Game

The international community watches these scenes with familiar unease. Religious freedom is enshrined in international law, but so is a state's right to maintain security. The challenge lies in distinguishing between legitimate security measures and discriminatory restrictions.

From a Palestinian perspective, each denied entry reinforces the narrative of systematic oppression. From an Israeli perspective, each large gathering represents a potential security risk in an already volatile region.

The irony is that heavy-handed restrictions might be counterproductive to their stated security goals. When people with permits are arbitrarily turned away, it breeds resentment that can manifest in ways far more dangerous than peaceful prayer.