Israel Closes Ibrahimi Mosque for Jewish Holidays
In a controversial move, Israeli authorities have closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron to Muslim worshippers for four days, allowing access exclusively to Jewish settlers in observance of the Sukkot and Atonement holidays. The mosque, a significant religious site located in the Old City of Hebron, has been a focal point of tension between Jewish settlers and the local Muslim population.
The closure began on Wednesday, as confirmed by Moataz Abu Sneineh, the director of the mosque. He noted that this practice is not uncommon during Jewish holidays, where the mosque is typically opened for Talmudic prayers performed by settlers. The closure will last until Saturday evening, coinciding with the heightened presence of settlers during these religious observances.
The Day of Atonement, which starts Thursday evening, is marked by increased settler incursions into Islamic sites, including the Ibrahimi Mosque and the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem. Following this, the Sukkot holiday will see hundreds of settlers visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque, often leading to confrontations with Muslim worshippers who are restricted from entering.
The Ibrahimi Mosque holds a contentious history, having been divided since 1994 into sections for Jews and Muslims after a tragic incident where a settler killed 29 Muslim worshippers. Currently, 63% of the mosque is designated for Jewish use, while 37% remains for Muslims, a division that has fueled ongoing tensions in the region.
