Israel starts religious war in Jerusalem

Ambassador Almassri characterised these developments as elements of a broader strategy of genocide, ethnic cleansing and forced displacement.

Ivan Zhakata–Herald Correspondent

THE State of Palestine has expressed concern over the continued religious wars being waged against Palestinians by Israel following the recent invasion and attack of Palestinians in Jerusalem.

Israel police officers yesterday stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and threw tear gas grenades while shooting at Palestinian worshippers using rubber coated bullets during an all-night Ramadan prayer.

“The Embassy of the State of Palestine in Harare condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli police’s illegal invasion of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s old city to brutally attack using tear gas and rubber coated bullets on hundreds of peaceful Palestinian worshippers who were holding an all-night Ramadan prayer vigil at the Muslim holy compound,” he said.

“Over 500 Palestinian worshippers were unlawfully arrested, medics were prevented from helping the suffocated worshippers and irreparable damages were done to the holy mosque. This violates international norms that call for respect of religious sanctities and we hold Israel fully responsible for any consequences of its actions.

“The Israeli police removed the Muslim worshippers in order to prepare the way for Jewish fanatics to storm the holy compound in the morning. Such hateful and reprehensible scenes, and repeated Israeli violations of the sanctity of the holy places, fuel feelings of anger among all the Palestinian people and Islamic nations.”

Ambassador Almassri said Israeli settlers and soldiers over the past months had attacked Christian churches, bishops and worshippers in order to “judaise” Jerusalem.

“We, therefore, call on the progressive peoples, governments and human rights organisations to condemn and hold apartheid Israel accountable for these heinous crimes and protect our people,” he said.

“The State of Palestine requests UN Security Council to urgently devise effective measures to ensure the protection of worshippers and the full respect for the historic and legal status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“The Palestinian people will continue to exercise their right to defend Jerusalem, its mosques and churches from the ongoing Israeli aggression which is meant to judaize the holy city of Jerusalem.”