APAwire - APAwire CLIENTS ONLY, Jerusalem – 17 May 2019 - Palestinian Muslim worshipers attend Friday prayers durig the holy fasting month of Ramadan at al-Aqsa mosque compund, in Jerusalem's Old city.
STORYLINE - Palestinian Muslims from across the Israeli-occupied West Bank have flocked to East Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque to mark the first Friday of the Ramadan fasting month.
Visiting Palestinians were forced to pass through numerous Israeli security checkpoints so they might perform Friday prayers at the flashpoint religious site.
Since early morning, traffic at the Qalandia security checkpoint -- located between Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Ramallah -- has remained heavily congested.
The Israeli authorities reportedly banned Palestinian men under the age of 40 from entering East Jerusalem, although women were allowed in.
East Jerusalem’s Al-Eizariya checkpoint, along with checkpoints near Bethlehem (some 10 kilometers south of Jerusalem), also saw ramped-up security and heavy traffic congestion.
Several young Palestinians tried to cross the Israeli barrier separating Jerusalem from the town of Al-Ram, some of whom succeeded despite being chased by Israeli police.
For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem, in which the Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.
In a move never recognized by the international community, Israel annexed the entire city in 1980, claiming it as the Jewish state’s “eternal and undivided” capital.
Footage by Abdalrahman Alami /APAwire
RESTRICTION SUMMARY: APAwire CLIENTS ONLY SHOTLIST: APAwire - APAwire CLIENTS ONLY, Jerusalem – 17 May 2019 - Palestinian Muslim worshipers attend Friday prayers durig the holy fasting month of Ramadan at al-Aqsa mosque compund, in Jerusalem's Old city. STORYLINE - Palestinian Muslims from across the Israeli-occupied West Bank have flocked to East Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque to mark the first Friday of the Ramadan fasting month. Visiting Palestinians were forced to pass through numerous Israeli security checkpoints so they might perform Friday prayers at the flashpoint religious site. Since early morning, traffic at the Qalandia security checkpoint -- located between Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Ramallah -- has remained heavily congested. The Israeli authorities reportedly banned Palestinian men under the age of 40 from entering East Jerusalem, although women were allowed in. East Jerusalem’s Al-Eizariya checkpoint, along with checkpoints near Bethlehem (some 10 kilometers south of Jerusalem), also saw ramped-up security and heavy traffic congestion. Several young Palestinians tried to cross the Israeli barrier separating Jerusalem from the town of Al-Ram, some of whom succeeded despite being chased by Israeli police. For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site. Israel occupied East Jerusalem, in which the Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. In a move never recognized by the international community, Israel annexed the entire city in 1980, claiming it as the Jewish state’s “eternal and undivided” capital. Footage by Abdalrahman Alami /APAwire
Original caption as filed by the journalist, unedited.
APAwire clients only
Editorial use only. No alterations beyond standard cropping and colour correction.
Copyright: © APA Images
Find photos, videos and stories in your language.
Try asking
