London protesters condemn Israel's closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque

2026-03-15 - 10:12

Demonstrators took to the streets of central London on Saturday to voice their opposition to Israel's decision to keep the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem closed to Muslim worshippers. The protest, held in front of the Palace of Westminster, drew crowds carrying Palestinian flags and wearing traditional keffiyehs as they condemned the ongoing restrictions on Islam's third holiest site. The gathering followed a march organized specifically to highlight what protesters described as growing threats to the holy site. After marching through the area, participants performed the noon prayer together in a collective act of worship and solidarity. The demonstration comes as Israel has maintained the closure of Al-Aqsa since February 28, when joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran began, while permitting only about 50 worshippers to pray at the Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied West Bank. Palestinian Officials Condemn Worship Restrictions Palestinian authorities have strongly criticized the Israeli measures, stating that restrictions on prayer at both Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron constitute a violation of freedom of worship. Officials say the limitations are part of a broader effort to assert control over the two sacred sites, which hold deep religious significance for Muslims worldwide. The Ibrahimi Mosque has faced particular restrictions since 1994, when Israel divided the site following a settler massacre that killed 29 Muslim worshippers on February 25 of that year. Currently, approximately 63 percent of the site is allocated to Jewish worshippers, with Muslims receiving access to the remaining 37 percent. The mosque is typically opened fully to Muslims only 10 days each year, including Fridays during Ramadan and other significant Islamic occasions. Uncertainty During Holy Days Türkiye continues to monitor the situation closely, as the restrictions affect Muslim worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan. The Ibrahimi Mosque, located in Hebron's Old City—an area under full Israeli control—would normally see large crowds during the final days of Ramadan, particularly on the 27th night and during Eid al-Fitr. It remains unclear whether Israeli authorities will permit full access this year, adding to tensions surrounding access to the holy sites.