The Arab League has strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem. This escalation includes increased military measures, closures, and restrictions on Palestinian citizens' movement, coinciding with Jewish holidays. The League expressed deep concern over the expanding Israeli actions, which not only affect the West Bank but also the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Arab League warned of a significant development: Israel's plan to introduce Jewish prayer books into the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This move is seen as an attempt to impose new realities within the mosque through intrusions, religious rituals, and measures that could alter its historical and legal status. The League emphasized that allowing such practices could lead to the establishment of new rituals inside the mosque.
The Arab League highlighted that introducing religious books and tools into the mosque, along with intrusions and religious rituals, aims to change the nature of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and its current status. The League cautioned against exploiting Jewish holidays to expand intrusions and violations, especially with increased restrictions on Palestinian worshippers accessing the mosque.
In the West Bank, the Arab League condemned Israel's tightening of military measures, including road closures, checkpoints, and barriers that hinder Palestinian citizens' movement. These measures restrict access to workplaces and places of worship, exacerbating the situation with the ongoing escalation in Jerusalem.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound has recently witnessed intrusions by settlers under the protection of Israeli forces, alongside attempts to perform religious rituals and introduce prayer books. The Arab League views these actions, combined with restrictions on Palestinian worshippers, as escalating fears of exploiting Jewish holidays to impose new arrangements within the mosque.
The Arab League stressed that any change in practices within the Al-Aqsa Mosque or imposition of new rituals would alter its historical and legal status. The League warned that gradually allowing such practices could lead to a new reality within the mosque, setting a precedent for further measures that could change access and usage.
The Arab League called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to assume its responsibilities regarding the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. The League urged Israel to halt measures and practices violating Palestinian rights, including restrictions on movement and worship, and to protect the historical and legal status of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Key points
- The Arab League condemns Israeli escalation in Al-Aqsa Mosque.
- Israel's actions may alter the historical status quo of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
- The international community is urged to intervene to protect Palestinian rights and holy sites.
