Israel extends ban on Sheikh Ikrima Sabri from Al-Aqsa

JERUSALEM — Israeli authorities have extended a ban on Sheikh Ikrima Sabri from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for six months, according to a report published by jo24.net on Monday, 20 October 2026.

The report, published in Arabic, said the measure extends an existing restriction on the cleric's access to the site in Jerusalem. It did not give details of the order's legal basis or the reasons cited by the authorities. The report did not say whether Sabri had been notified or whether he planned to challenge the decision.

Only one source has reported the extension. The report did not include a statement from Israeli officials or from Sabri, and Zenga News has not been able to verify the decision independently with the Israeli authorities.

It is not clear from the report when the six-month period begins, or whether the ban applies to all parts of the compound or only to the mosques within it.

Background

Sheikh Ikrima Sabri is a senior Palestinian Islamic cleric who has served as the mufti of Jerusalem and the occupied Palestinian territories. Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the holiest sites in Islam and is located in the Old City of Jerusalem. Israel controls access to the compound, which is also sacred to Jews as the Temple Mount. Access restrictions on Palestinian religious leaders have been a recurring issue at the site in recent years.

The jo24.net report is the only source for the extension. Further reporting from Israeli or Palestinian officials would be needed to confirm the terms and duration of the order.