Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the head of the Higher Islamic Council in Jerusalem, has been barred from Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem for over two years, unable to pray or preach. His exclusion order has now been extended until April 2027, amid increasing Israeli restrictions at this crucial Islamic site.
Sabri, a prominent Palestinian figure, has faced multiple exclusion orders since August 2024, following a sermon in which he mourned the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, killed by Israeli forces. On October 20, the latest order was issued, preventing him from accessing Al-Aqsa.
While Sabri is banned, far-right Jewish activists are increasingly permitted to pray at the site under police protection, challenging established norms and prompting opposition from ultra-Orthodox Jewish authorities.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center reports over 1,000 exclusion orders have been issued against Palestinians at Al-Aqsa and the surrounding Old City since January 2026, targeting religious figures and Islamic Waqf employees. Exclusion orders have reportedly surged ahead of Jewish holidays, with more than 40 documented in early September alone.
Describing the situation as unjust and inhumane, Sabri has vowed to continue defending Al-Aqsa, which he views as integral to his faith. He accuses Israeli authorities of aiming to diminish Palestinian presence at the mosque while allowing settlers to increase their incursions.
In a separate incident, Ibrahim al-Natsheh was detained for attending funeral prayers at Al-Aqsa earlier this month. He was handed a six-month exclusion order barring him from the Old City without any specific charges. Al-Natsheh claims he has received numerous orders over the past nine years, often citing vague reasons like “disturbing the peace” despite merely praying.
He laments the escalating difficulty of reaching the mosque, highlighting the heavy police presence and a climate of intimidation that includes arrests and violence.
Israeli restrictions at Al-Aqsa have intensified throughout 2026, including a 40-day closure following a military conflict with Iran. In contrast, nearly 28,000 visits by Israeli settlers to Al-Aqsa were recorded over the summer months.
Ma’rouf al-Rifai, an adviser to the Jerusalem Governorate, noted that during recent Jewish holidays, restrictions on Muslim worshippers were heightened. These included mosque closures and limiting access for residents during periods of heightened settler activity.
Al-Rifai stated that the Islamic Waqf, responsible for managing Al-Aqsa, faces increasing constraints, with fewer staff and diminished authority, complicating their ability to oversee the site’s operations and maintenance.
He expressed concern that ongoing changes represent a significant shift in the site’s status quo, warning that the Israeli authorities’ actions might ultimately alter access and worship arrangements at this sacred site.
