The so-called unit for the “Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories” (COGAT), headed by General Yoav Mordechai, is gearing up in preparation for the upcoming Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha next week.
“As part of the policy of improving the fabric of life for the Palestinian population of Judea and Samaria and Gaza, and in order to enable freedom of religion and worship, the Defense Minister, Mister Avigdor Liberman, is allowing a series of steps for the duration of the holiday.”
Included among these “steps” is the coordination of 100 thousand Palestinian family visits from Judea and Samaria to Jerusalem during the holiday, coordination of prayer for Judea and Samaria and Gaza Arabs on the Temple Mount, coordination of trips outside of Israel via Ben Gurion International Airport, coordination of visitation licenses for Muslims living abroad to Judea and Samaria, and coordination of visits for Gaza Arabs internationally by way of the Allenby Bridge.
COGAT notified the Palestinian Authority and officials from the international community of the steps to be taken.
In addition, civil administration officers gave explanations to the Palestinian population, and briefed security operating in the field about the holiday and its customs.