Defense Minister, Bnei GantzSpoke tonight (Tuesday) with the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. The Defense Minister’s office said that Ganz wanted to congratulate him and the Palestinian public on the occasion of the month of Ramadan.
In a conversation between the two, Defense Minister Ganz said that the holidays should be a time of peace and tranquility, not terrorism, and that Israel takes seriously the attacks that claimed the lives of 11 people in the past two weeks and will continue to act vigorously to prevent civilians and security forces. Gantz also expressed his appreciation for the condemnation that Abu Mazen issued for the attack in Bnei Brak, and emphasized to him that Israel is ready to expand its civilian measures during and after Ramadan, as long as security stability allows.
The conversation between the two took place after the coordinator of government operations in the territories, the general Rassan ElianAnnounced earlier that at the end of a security situation assessment headed by the Minister of Defense, the concessions for the Ramadan period were approved.
The Defense Minister approved the entry of Palestinians to the Temple Mount for Friday prayers. Women will be allowed in at all ages and children up to the age of 12 will be allowed without the need for an existing permit. Entry for men aged 50 and over will be allowed without an existing permit and men aged 40 and over will be subject to an existing permit. In addition, on the occasion of Ramadan, Defense Minister Ganz approved family visits to Israel for the first time for Palestinians living in Judea and Samaria, Sunday through Thursday.
It was also decided that another assessment of the situation will take place next week, at the end of which it will be decided whether to approve an extension of the steps for approving departure for family visits, in accordance with the security situation. The Coordinator of Government Operations in the Occupied Territories notes that in the last two years no relief has been given due to the corona plague.
During the month, the operating hours in the aisles will be extended in order to provide the best solution for visitors. It was also reported that Maj. Gen. Rassan Aliyan updated senior Palestinian Authority officials and relevant figures in the international community on the steps and gestures for the holiday.
The decision to provide relief takes place in parallel with the deadly wave of terrorism in the past month, during which 11 people were killed in stabbing and shooting attacks in Israeli cities and the Jerusalem area, and in parallel with the violent clashes at the Nablus Gate in Jerusalem.