Palestinians protest as Israel bans guards, scholars from Al-Aqsa

Last weekend, Israel banned the head of the Waqf, Sheikh Abdul-Azim Salhab, from Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque. Salhab was banned from entering the compound for 40 days, while Sheikh Najeh Bkerat, the deputy director of Muslim Endowments and Al-Aqsa Affairs, was also banned from the holy site for four months. Under the status quo agreement, the Waqf holds custodianship of the city’s Islamic and Christian holy sites. Israel is forbidden from making changes to the compound or its surroundings under the agreement. This week’s ban, however, was the latest in a string of Israeli violations of the status quo in recent weeks. Last month, Israel closed Jerusalem’s Bab Al-Rahma, sometimes known as Golden Gate, which leads to Al-Aqsa compound. Although Al-Rahma has long been out of use, Israel installed new locks and metal chains on the gate, before cracking down on Palestinians who protested against the move. The Waqf has called for Palestinians from Jerusalem, the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) and Israel to today hold a mass prayer and protest outside Al-Aqsa compound against the banning of its employees and leaders.