Ramallah, West Bank: Palestinians men who are above 40 years and women of any age will be allowed to pray at Al Aqsa mosque on Fridays throughout Ramadan without the need to obtain visit permits from Israeli authorities.
The ruling was announced in an official statement issued on Sunday by the Palestinian General Authority of Civil Affairs.
“Palestinian men in the age group 35-40 are required to obtain the official entry and pray permits from Israeli authorities, but those less than 35 years are not allowed into [occupied] Jerusalem at all,” said the statement.
This privilege was a concession from Israeli authorities to Palestinians to mark Ramadan.
The Israelis have also allowed West Bank Palestinians above the age of 60 years to enter Israel without an entry permit all through the week except Saturdays, during which no West Bank Palestinians are allowed into Israel.
Officials at the Palestinian General Authority of Civil Affairs said many Palestinians who are married to women from the 1948 areas and denied family reunification will be allowed to visit their women inside Israel.
