Occupied Jerusalem, September 28 (QNA) - The Jerusalem Governorate has warned of the dangers of exploiting so-called Jewish holidays to impose new realities on the ground, violate the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and disrupt the movement and daily lives of Jerusalemites, amid escalating violations by Israeli occupation authorities and settlers in the city.
In a statement issued today, the Governorate said that businesses in Jerusalem, particularly in the Old City and around Al-Aqsa Mosque, are facing severe and mounting economic pressures due to closures, movement restrictions, and the assaults and other practices accompanying these Jewish holidays.
It said the impact of the Jewish holidays extends beyond road closures and restrictions on movement, directly affecting the livelihoods of merchants, restaurant owners, tourism businesses, hoteliers, artisans, traditional craftspeople, and workers in the transport and tourism sectors.
The Governorate noted that some merchants are forced to close their shops during the holidays, either because of measures and restrictions imposed by the occupation authorities or for fear that their businesses and property could be attacked or vandalized amid marches and gatherings organized by settlers in and around the Old City.
It added that the situation in Jerusalem's markets during these holidays has become a recurring source of concern, with street closures, movement restrictions, and blocked access to the Old City limiting citizens' ability to reach shops and markets. This comes amid continued escalation by occupation forces and settlers in occupied Jerusalem, with hundreds of settlers storming Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy protection from occupation police and performing Talmudic rituals and prayers, while strict restrictions are imposed on the entry and movement of worshippers.
According to data from the Jerusalem Governorate, 40,661 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque between the beginning of 2026 and the end of last August, while approximately 800 orders banning Jerusalemites from the mosque were issued from the beginning of the year through early September. (QNA)