LONDON: Israeli border authorities have prevented hundreds of Palestinian pilgrims from exiting the country to perform Umrah this week, as confirmed by the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs on Tuesday.
The ministry noted that Israel’s “arbitrary and unjustified measures” led to travel disruptions and congestion at the crossing with Jordan, despite travelers having all the necessary permits and travel agencies adhering to the approved departure schedules.
Israeli authorities returned 450 Umrah pilgrims on the fourth day of the pilgrimage, followed by 900 on the fifth day and 800 on the sixth day, the ministry confirmed. This led to confusion and significant congestion at the Mahmoud Abbas City for Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims, an operational facility located in Jericho in the occupied West Bank.
The ministry said it holds the Israeli “occupation authorities fully and directly responsible for this crisis and the resulting suffering of Umrah pilgrims and confusion for travel programs,” according to Wafa news agency.
