Israel eased restrictions on prayer at the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Eid al-Adha. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon on Wednesday approved the easing of security restrictions on Palestinians in Judea and Samaria ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of two religious holidays observed by Muslims worldwide each year, alongside Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Among the restrictions being eased is the limitation placed on prayers in the Al-Aqsa mosque — Palestinian men ages 45 and older and women 30 and older will be allowed unlimited access to the site on Thursday and Friday. The adjacent Temple Mount compound has been closed to tourists and Jewish worshipers in an effort to minimize friction.

Married Palestinian couples who reside in Judea and Samaria will be able to visit family members in Israel over Eid al-Adha, all border crossings with Jordan and Egypt will extend their operating hours over the holiday, and Palestinians seeking to travel through Ben-Gurion International Airport will be able to do so as well.

Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai and the Jerusalem District Police have been tasked with implementing the measures.