Israel shuts Palestinian shops to facilitate Jewish prayers in Jerusalem’s Old City

Israel shuts Palestinian shops to facilitate Jewish prayers in Jerusalem’s Old City Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 09/28/2026 - 12:40 Police restrict Palestinian movement around Al-Aqsa as more than 50 shops are ordered to close during Sukkot Israeli men pray before the Bab al-Qattanin (the Cotton Merchants' Gate) of the Al-Aqsa Mosque during morning prayers for Sukkot in occupied East Jerusalem on 28 September 2026 (John Wessels/AFP) Off Israeli forces have ordered dozens of Palestinian shops in the Old City of oc