The war in Gaza casts a shadow in Jerusalem’s Old City on the first full day of Ramadan. Economists say post-pandemic inflation has reached a new phase. And a survey reveals what some teens think of their parents’ phone use.
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Rising tensions in East Jerusalem as Ramadan begins
The streets of the Muslim quarter in Jerusalem’s Old City were markedly quiet yesterday on the first full day of Ramadan as small groups of worshippers made their way to Al-Aqsa mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam, for noon prayers. With no cease-fire in sight, the war in Gaza cast a heavy shadow over the start of the holy month.
Some Muslims such as shopkeeper Jamil Halwani said the “joy of Ramadan” is absent. Instead, many fear a rise in tensions and possibly violence in East Jerusalem if Israeli authorities block worshippers from accessing Al-Aqsa during the month of Ramadan.
In the weeks leading up to Ramadan, the Israeli government had been unclear about whether it would look to impose new limits on access to the Al-Aqsa compound during the holy month. Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said no new restrictions would be enforced.
Already, at least one clash was reported on Sunday. The Palestinian Information Ministry said Israeli authorities blocked young men from accessing the mosque’s compound as they made their way there for the first Taraweeh, an evening prayer held each night of Ramadan. Video circulated on social media showed a large crowd of people being blocked from accessing one of the gates leading to the mosque, with at least two officers appearing to strike people with batons as the group pushed back.
Chantal Da Silva reports from Jerusalem about the mood in the Old City. Read the full story here.
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