NABLUS, November 17 (IslamOnline.net) - In an annually repeated manner, Israeli occupation forces deprived tens of Palestinian youths, women and elderly people from traveling to Makkah, Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah (Lesser Pilgrimage) during Ramadan, as a repressive collective measure targeting the besieged people.

“The officer in charge of Al-Karama bridge told me that I should return as I am not allowed to travel without providing any justifiable reason,” said Nablus Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Shubash, who was refused to pass through King Hussein’s bridge.

In his statements to IslamOnline.net, Shubash expressed his surprise for being prevented from performing Umrah, particularly that he presides over a high religious body and there is nothing that may prevent him from traveling.

Israeli forces have deprived the mother of a detained Palestinian Legislative Council member Hossam Khedr from leaving Palestinian territories to perform Umrah.

His mother, Umm El-Abd, 65, has left her home in Balata camp Monday, November 10, as she intended to spend the last ten days of Ramadan in the holy places.

Like other Palestinian passengers, Umm El-Abd, spent a night in Jericho waiting for crossing the bridge on the following day, yet, the bridge administration told her that she is not allowed to travel abroad on the orders of the Israeli intelligence.

The Israeli occupation forces have previously prevented Youssef Al-Shawli’s mother from going to perform Umrah in Makkah.

Shawli’s mother prepared all papers required for traveling. When she arrived at the Israeli checkpoint on the bridge, an Israeli intelligence officer told her about the decision and asked her to return home, Hanin Al-Shawli, Youssef’s sister, said.

“It is not the first time that Israel prevents a member of her family from traveling. Her parents were denied the right to perform pilgrimage two years ago,” Hanin reiterated.

Mohannad Al-Habbash, 21, was felt so much astonished when told by the occupation authorities to return home, after being about to cross the borders to perform Umrah rituals.

“When I inquired about the reason, they refused to give any information. They also refused my request to meet intelligence men to know the motive for this prevention,” Habbash said.

“It is not the first time I travel, as I take part in training courses and youth conferences around the globe. Yet, I don’t face problems while going into or leaving the territories,” he resumed.

“Since the start of the Intifada, occupation authorities tighten their control over bridges and accurately check passengers’ papers for fear Palestinians sneak and perform hostilities against Israel,” Sheikh Mohsen Abu Ghalion, director of Al-Abrar office for pilgrimage, told IslamOnline.net.

“These are not logical reasons, as most passengers are ordinary people who aim at visiting relatives abroad, studying or perform pilgrimage or Umrah,” Abu Ghalion added.

He affirmed that in some cases youths are detained on the bridge and moved to Israeli jails, causing confusion and worries among their family members and doing them injustice, particularly in case they intend to join universities abroad.