Israel closes Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque to Palestinians for Jewish holiday

Israeli forces closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron’s Old City in the occupied West Bank to Palestinian worshippers as thousands of Israeli settlers gathered for a Jewish religious celebration. The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments said worshippers and mosque staff were barred and the call to prayer suspended. The closure, imposed on Friday afternoon until 10pm Saturday, came with tighter checkpoints and movement restrictions in the Old City; Israeli forces expected about 20,000 visitors. Mosque director Moataz Abu Sneineh said Israeli authorities intended to reserve the prayer halls and courtyards exclusively for Israelis.