CBNNews.com - JERUSALEM, Israel - During the Islamic holiday month of Ramadan, Israel's Civil Administration is trying to help Palestinian families living in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).

During Ramadan, Muslims observe a daily 15-hour fast, abstaining from food, drink and smoking.

Earlier in the week, the Palestinian Authority (PA) ended daylight savings time, putting them an hour behind Israel, which affects the flow of traffic at checkpoints.

To facilitate Palestinian travel, Israel assigned additional personnel to the checkpoints and also instructed soldiers not to eat, drink or smoke in front of Palestinians.

During Ramadan, Israel is issuing special permits to Palestinian men between the ages of 45 and 50 to visit the Temple Mount.

Israeli Arabs will be allowed to enter Area A, normally off limits to Israeli citizens, to visit friends and family in PA-controlled cities such as Ramallah, Jenin and Nablus.

Source: The Jerusalem Post