The United States urged Israel to allow worshippers from the occupied West Bank to access Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during Ramadan, following calls from an Israeli far-right minister to ban their entry. The US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, emphasized the importance of facilitating access for peaceful worshippers during Ramadan, in line with previous practices, highlighting it as not only the right action but also crucial for Israel’s security. He noted that escalating tensions in the West Bank or the broader region is not in Israel’s security interests.
Israel is considering how to manage the flow of worshippers to Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, which starts on March 10 or 11. This comes as Israel continues its military campaign in Gaza in response to an attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7.
In related developments, Israeli media reported that the Israeli Security Cabinet decided to withdraw responsibilities related to Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Minister of Internal Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who had previously stated that Palestinians from the West Bank should not be allowed to enter Jerusalem for prayers during Ramadan. Ben-Gvir leads a far-right party advocating for control over Al-Aqsa.
Hamas has called for mass participation at Al-Aqsa Mosque at the start of Ramadan, with Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, encouraging people in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and within Israel to flock to Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers and worship, emphasizing the mosque’s ongoing role in the conflict and the Palestinian people’s determination to defend their holy sites.
Following the October 7 attack by Hamas, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties, the U.S. increased its military support to Israel. This included sending additional troops, aircraft carriers, naval warships, and a vast array of military equipment to the region. The Biden administration and key members of Congress prepared an aid package with approximately $2 billion in additional funding to support Israel during this period. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III have reiterated America’s commitment to Israel’s security, highlighting the deployment of significant U.S. military assets to deter any expansion of the conflict.
The U.S. aid to Israel, particularly military assistance, has been under scrutiny due to the humanitarian impact of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Despite this, President Joe Biden has remained a staunch supporter of Israel’s right to self-defense. The administration has pushed for increased arms sales and aid to Israel, even as concerns over human rights violations have grown. More than 26,000 Palestinians have been reported killed in Gaza, leading to calls from the United Nations and other international bodies for a ceasefire and a reassessment of the humanitarian situation.
The support from the U.S. is grounded in a longstanding policy that views Israel as a key ally in the Middle East, aiming to maintain Israel’s regional military hegemony. This policy is supported by substantial financial aid and an enhancement of Israel’s military capabilities. However, there’s a growing public scrutiny and debate within the U.S. about the extent and nature of this support, especially in light of the significant civilian toll in the ongoing conflict.
