Israel’s government has agreed to shut Al-Aqsa Mosque to Jewish groups until about the end of Ramadan in response to local, regional, and international pressure following deadly incidents at the sensitive site.

According to the Israeli publication Yedioth Ahronoth, the administration has decided to ban the courtyards of Al-Aqsa to Jewish settlers from April 22 till the conclusion of Ramadan on May 1, leaving the area available solely to Muslim worshippers.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Wednesday prohibited far-right MP Itamar Ben Gvir from entering Muslim neighborhoods of Jerusalem’s Old City and conducting a protest in an effort to avert additional bloodshed.

Tensions in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem have risen significantly in recent weeks, following nearly a month of fatal violence in Israel and the occupied West Bank, coinciding with the Jewish Passover festival.

The prohibition is designed to avert more unrest in the Old City, particularly at Al-Aqsa, where previous clashes between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers resulted in over 170 injuries.

Ben Gvir declared his participation in a demonstration on Wednesday evening, stating that he will march through Damascus Gate, the primary gateway to Jerusalem’s Muslim neighborhood.

Bennett approved security authorities’ request to bar the outspoken MP from accessing Damascus Gate.

“I have no intention of letting petty politics put human lives at risk. Bennett stated, “I will not allow a political provocation by Ben Gvir to jeopardize IDF (Israeli army) soldiers and Israeli police officers, further complicating their already difficult duty.”

Ben-Gvir said, “The coalition government’s security is not the country’s security.” Under the order of the left-wing minister of internal security, the police are attempting to ban Jews from going about with the Israeli flag in the ‘Israeli capital.’ Our answer to our adversary is that we will come today and proudly hoist the Israeli flag.”

Bennett, a prominent player in Israel’s settlement movement, is the leader of a precarious coalition government.

Sheikh Omar Al-Kiswani, director of Al-Aqsa Mosque, told Arab News that the Islamic Awqaf had requested that Israeli authorities halt visits by extreme Jewish organizations from April 16 through the conclusion of Ramadan, but received no answer.

Jordan’s King Abdullah made a concerted effort this week to ensure freedom of prayer at Al-Aqsa, particularly during Ramadan, and to put an end to Israeli assault against worshipers.

On Wednesday, around 1,100 settlers rushed the mosque, causing violent demonstrations and fights with Israeli police, who used rubber bullets to disperse protestors.

With the Jewish holiday drawing to a close, significant numbers of radical Jews flocked to Maghrabi Gate, attempting to enter the mosque, as captured on camera by Israeli activists.

Al-Habbash urged the international world to abandon its double standards for Palestine in the face of Israeli aggression, urging a stop to the holy city’s “frenzied attacks.”

He characterized Israel’s actions against Al-Aqsa Mosque and its followers, including deciding the ages of those permitted to pray there, as “insolence,” an assault on Muslims’ religious freedom, and a clear breach of international law.

For the latest International News Follow BOL News on Google News. Read more on Latest International News on oldsite.bolnews.com