Politics
Israel’s targeting of Palestinian Muslims during Ramadan 2026
The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians has released a seventeen-page report on Israel’s targeting of Palestinian Muslims. The report, released on the final Friday of Ramadan, documents the rising attacks on Muslims in Palestine.
In recent years, Ramadan has been associated with increased attacks on Palestinians by Israeli police and settlers alike, often working in close collaboration with one another. This report covers longstanding trends of these annual increases in attacks.
It also addresses new administrative measures introduced this year, to curtail Muslims’ ability to observe traditional religious practices associated with Ramadan. This includes bans on traditional roles, as well as bans on decorations and restriction of access to holy sites.
As well as these increased measures during Ramadan, the report also covers Israel’s systematic attack on mosques in Gaza, since the beginning of the genocide in October 2023. In total, Israeli forces have destroyed or heavily damaged about 1,160 out of Gaza’s 1,244 mosques, amounting to 93.2% of total mosques.
Religious apartheid against Muslims
The report comprehensively outlines Israel’s violations with international law. And it also highlights new legislative efforts within Israel to further entrench religious apartheid against Muslims. These include the 2023 Amendment to Counter Terrorism Law and the ongoing ‘Call to Prayer Bill’, both of which infringe upon Muslims’ rights to practise their religion freely.
Finally, the report provides a list of recommendations to both Israel and third state parties. The report calls on third party states such as the UK to explore and enact measures to:
- Ensure the accountability of perpetrators of international crimes, grave human rights violations and abuses by Israel and illegal settlers in the occupied Palestinian territories.
- Comply with all international legal obligations, namely pertaining to the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion of July 2024 and the Geneva Convention.
- Cease aiding or assisting in the commission of violations.
International Centre of Justice for Palestinians senior legal officer Dania Abul Haj said:
Since the beginning of the war on Iran, Israeli authorities have now ordered the total closure of Al Aqsa mosque, banning worshippers from prayer there and citing ‘safety measures’ which is ironic considering that everything else in the city remains open, including restaurants, cafes, shops, institutions.
It is also ironic considering the decades-long military oppression against Palestinians and the contradiction between statements and practice at times.
Israel is trying to impose a new reality in which they have full control over Al Aqsa Mosque and Haram Al Sharif. However, it is important to remind Israel, that as an occupying power, it has no sovereignty over religious sites in Jerusalem, and this is in contravention with its international obligations.
Featured image via the Canary