In response to heightened security concerns amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Israeli officials have announced that there will be no additional restrictions on freedom of worship for Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan. However, they have warned of an increase in online incitement and fake news reports that aim to distort the situation on the ground.

Mirit Ben Mayor, head of communications in the Israel Police, emphasized that the majority of worshippers attending prayers during Ramadan seek a peaceful and quiet experience. However, she acknowledged that a small number of individuals, typically young troublemakers, try to destabilize the area and gain attention through their actions.

To maintain order and minimize the risk of terrorism, the Israeli police will be bolstering their forces, as they have done in previous years during religious holidays in Jerusalem. Tal Heinrich, a spokeswoman for the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, highlighted that Israel takes pride in welcoming all faiths and protecting freedom of religion and worship. She emphasized that since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, there has been unprecedented freedom of religion and access to holy sites across their lands.

Heinrich noted that in the coming weeks, Jerusalem will witness the celebrations of three major religions: Ramadan for Muslims, Easter for Christians, and the Jewish holiday of Purim. Ramadan, marked by fasting from dawn till dusk and additional prayer services, attracts hundreds of thousands of worshippers to the Old City of Jerusalem, particularly the al-Aqsa Mosque, which is Islam's third-holiest site.

The al-Aqsa Mosque, located on the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount), is considered the holiest site for Jews, as it sits atop the area where the first and second Jewish temples once stood. The tensions in Jerusalem traditionally peak during Ramadan, resulting in increased police presence in the 0.35-square-mile Old City to maintain calm. Certain individuals deemed a security risk by Israel face restrictions on entering the compound out of fear of violent attacks against Jews praying at the Western Wall below.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza, sparked by a Hamas attack on October 7, has further fueled tensions surrounding access to the sacred compound. Israeli officials have vowed to enable the practice of freedom of religion for Muslims during Ramadan, with hundreds of police officers currently deployed in the Old City to ensure the safe arrival and worship of thousands of worshippers. The readiness level is expected to rise for Friday prayers, and Israeli police are dedicated to preserving freedom of worship for all religions that consider Jerusalem sacred.

While Israel has stated that there are currently no restrictions on Muslim worshippers entering the al-Aqsa compound, Palestinians from the West Bank must pass through a checkpoint, with only men over 55, women over 50, and boys under 10 permitted. According to Tal Heinrich, hundreds of thousands of Muslims are expected to participate in the Friday prayer service in Jerusalem's Old City during Ramadan, with the overwhelming majority coming in peace. However, she warned of attempts by terror organizations like Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to incite violence during this time.

The Israeli police spokeswoman also expressed concern about the significant increase in online incitement and fake news reports in Arabic-language media since October 7. She attributed these efforts to Hamas' wider strategy of provoking unrest and involving Israeli Arabs and others not participating in the conflict. The Israeli security forces remain vigilant in identifying and apprehending those responsible for incitement.

As tensions persist, it is crucial to address and counter rising anti-Jewish prejudice, and Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter aims to shed light on this issue, both in the United States and worldwide.