Israel shuts Palestinian shops to facilitate Jewish prayers in Jerusalem’s Old City
Israel shuts Palestinian shops to facilitate Jewish prayers in Jerusalem’s Old City Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 09/28/2026 - 12:40 Police restrict Palestinian movement around Al-Aqsa as more than 50 shops are ordered to close during Sukkot Israeli men pray before the Bab al-Qattanin (the Cotton Merchants' Gate) of the Al-Aqsa Mosque during morning prayers for Sukkot in occupied East Jerusalem…
The Israeli government has ordered the closure of over 50 Palestinian shops located in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City during the Sukkot holiday. This move aims to facilitate Jewish prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The restriction of movement for Palestinians in the area has been in effect since Sunday morning and is set to remain until October 2nd.
The closure of these shops impacts the streets leading to Bab al-Qattanin, one of the main gates to the Al-Aqsa Mosque used by Palestinian worshippers. Hundreds of Israeli nationalists gathered in the area to perform holiday rituals during Sukkot, with at least 1,500 people participating on Sunday and 1,200 on Monday. These incursions were met with resistance by the Jerusalem Governorate, which condemned the actions and emphasized that they violated the historical and legal status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The status quo refers to an internationally recognized arrangement governing access to and administration of the mosque, with the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf responsible for its upkeep and maintenance.
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