A/HRC/8/18 page 11 26. In general, restrictions on entrance to al-Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount varied during the reporting period. Sometimes only Palestinians over the age of 45 were permitted; at other times, only Jerusalem identity cardholders over the age of 50 were allowed entrance. At other times, restrictions permitted only residents of the Old City over the age of 50 to enter al-Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount. 27. Many Christian churches also experienced a significant decline in the number of worshippers attending services, as Palestinian Christians tended to avoid travelling because of the burdensome permit system and long waits experienced at checkpoints. While permits were often granted for special Christian holidays, it was generally difficult to obtain permits to attend regular services. Jerusalem was frequently closed, even to permit holders. In 2007, 37 days of closure were reported.27 Holders of permits for specific Christian holidays were usually allowed access to Jerusalem, even when access to the city was restricted to holders of work permits. 28. Palestinian Christian clergy and religious staff experienced increasing difficulties in serving their parishes owing to the obstacles connected with travelling between various religious locations, both before and during the reporting period. At times, religious congregations reportedly preferred to appoint a foreign priest to serve their communities, as foreign nationals were generally not subject to the same travel restrictions as Palestinian clergy. However, Christian foreign clergy working in Gaza and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) encountered difficulties in obtaining or renewing their Israeli visas. In October 2007, the Ministry of the Interior of Israel reportedly declared that it had cancelled all re-entry visas for Christian clergy in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Those who wished to return to their parishes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory were required to apply for new entry visas in Israeli consulates abroad, which often entailed a lengthy waiting time. Some clergy refused to leave the Occupied Palestinian Territory, fearing that they might not be allowed back; others who did leave were turned back by border officials. It was further reported that there was a usual practice of granting 90-day tourist visas to priests and nuns, thus compelling the clergy to travel to neighbouring countries and re-apply for a new tourist visa at regular intervals, thereby interrupting their work. This created considerable obstacles for the Christian clergy in serving their often scattered communities and in performing their religious duties.28 29. Regarding the opportunity to travel abroad for religious or other purposes, West Bank and Gaza Palestinians were generally not allowed to use the Israeli airport in Tel Aviv. In order to perform Hajj, they had to obtain a Saudi Hajj visa and travel by land to Amman (for West Bank residents) and to Egypt (for Gaza residents). Identity cards 30. Four kinds of identity cards are issued by the Israeli authorities to Palestinians over 16 years of age: (a) for West Bank residents; (b) for Gaza residents; (c) for Jerusalem residents; and (d) for Israeli citizens. Palestinian holders of Jerusalem identity cards are 27 OCHA, Humanitarian Monitor, January 2008, February 2008. 28 Ha’aretz, 26 October 2007.