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Despite Hamas' Hopes, Ramadan Didn't Spread Gaza War to Jerusalem

(Times of Israel) Jacob Magid - On Feb. 28, before the holy month of Ramadan, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh issued "a call to our people in Jerusalem and the West Bank to march to Al-Aqsa on the first day of Ramadan." Several days later, President Joe Biden said that if the Gaza war "continues through Ramadan...Jerusalem... could [get] very, very dangerous." Yet, last week brought a close to one of Jerusalem's quietest Ramadans in years, even as war raged in Gaza. An average of 100,000 Palestinians did attend each of the four Ramadan Friday services, but they overwhelmingly did so peacefully. Analysts cited cooperation from Jordan, which helped foster calm on the Temple Mount. An Israeli security official said the Jordanians "recognize that allowing incitement to violence at the Temple Mount will only provide more fuel to Hamas-backers inside Jordan." The official added, "Palestinians might identify with Hamas' struggle - partially because they've been shielded from seeing what it did on Oct. 7 by networks like Al Jazeera - but even in the West Bank, where support for Hamas is higher, we haven't seen Palestinians join the fight because very few want to pay the price those in Gaza are now paying."
2024-04-14 00:00:00
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