We cannot just stay home and say, O.K., we give up. But with Ramadan, the Islamic holy month due to begin in less than two weeks, there is concern the impromptu Friday prayers will not pass so peacefully. Imam Mohammad Bustami, who is leading the street prayers, warns there will be violence if the blockade continues. There will be a lot of massacres, because the Al-Aqsa mosque has special importance for us during Ramadan. Inside the walled city, there are at least seven more Israeli checkpoints in the winding lanes of the Old City's Arab quarter.
Shops are closed.
The usual market bustle is replaced with the echoing voices of a few people trying to get past the dozens of Israeli soldiers positioned in the narrow, ancient walkways. While the men were being blocked from prayers, a small group of inter-denominational worshipers gathered above the Western Wall Plaza in what they described as a prayer for peace. Palestinian Ibrahim Abu Elhawa explains why they are gathered together. We want to build peace between the three religions Christians, Muslims, and Jews - together on this earth, in this holy city. We want freedom not for us, but a better future for our children.