250 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip pray at Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem after
Israel cuts prayer permits
July 22, 2016 11:58 A.M. (Updated: July 22, 2016 2:43 P.M.)
http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=772335

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Hundreds of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip traveled
to occupied East Jerusalem for Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque,
according to officials from the Palestinian liaison office, amid a reduction
of Israeli-issued prayer permits for Palestinians in the besieged coastal
enclave.

The 250 Palestinians, all of whom were above the age of 50, crossed into
Israel via the Erez crossing early in the morning to pray at Al-Aqsa, before
immediately returning to the Gaza Strip.

Sources added that the number of Palestinians permitted to worship at
Al-Aqsa was reduced by Israel this week, as Israeli authorities have
typically permitted 300 elderly Palestinians from the small Palestinian
territory to travel to Al-Aqsa every Friday.

A spokesperson for the Coordination of Government Activities in the
Territories (COGAT), the Israeli agency responsible for implementing Israeli
policies in the occupied Palestinian territory, told Ma'an that Israeli
authorities decided to reduce the quota of permits for Palestinians to
travel to the Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers as a result of Hamas and other
groups "choosing to use the crossing permits given to them illegally."

The spokesperson added that the decision will continue to be reviewed "in
accordance with the conduct of the Palestinians and their choice to respect
the agreements with Israel."

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