Palestinians Must Be Allowed to Enter the Old City and Open their Shops

Illustrative. Shuk in the Old City. Photo: © Rostislav Glinsky | Dreamstime.com

Since the beginning of the current war with Iran, the Jerusalem Police have not been allowing Palestinian residents and citizens to enter the Old City of Jerusalem unless they are residents of the area. They have also been ordering shops to close even though there is no prohibition on commercial activity in the Old City, or in Jerusalem in general. Meanwhile, Jews are able to enter the Old City without any restrictions, and the streets of Jerusalem outside of the old city are filled with shops, cafés, and restaurants that have remained open. 

On March 18, 2026, ACRI, together with the organization Ir Amim, submitted an appeal to the police on behalf of residents of East Jerusalem. Attorney Tal Hassin argues in the appeal that there is no legal basis that allows the police to prevent entry to a particular area on the basis of origin, religion, or nationality, and there is no Home Front Command prohibition against commercial activity in the Old City, or in Jerusalem in general. There is no justification for the serious harm being done to the daily lives and human rights of Palestinian residents. The restrictions do not serve any public interest, and there is no basis for the unlawful distinction that district police officers are making between Jews and Palestinians. ACRI is demanding that Palestinian residents and citizens of Israel be allowed to enter the Old City; that shops be allowed to reopen; and to stop the dispersal of Muslim prayers when they are conducted in small groups in accordance with Home Front Command guidelines. 

Appeal by ACRI and Ir Amim, March 18, 2026 (Heb)