Arab League chief slams Israeli acts as ‘racist, aggressive’

Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi has denounced the Israeli regime for its “racist and aggressive” practices towards the Palestinians, calling on the United Nations to take necessary measures to bring to a halt Tel Aviv’s acts of violence.

Arabi made the remarks in a statement on Thursday as Israeli forces intensified their attacks against Palestinians in the occupied territories.

"The continuing escalation of attacks on the Palestinian people by the Israeli occupation authorities and settlers threatens to exacerbate the situation in the entire region as the international community remains silent to these crimes,” the Arab League chief warned in the statement.

“The international community and the United Nations must take up their responsibilities in countering the aggressive and racist Israeli practices towards the Palestinian people,” Arabi added.

On Thursday, clashes erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters in the Beit El settlement near the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank when Israeli troops fired tear gas and used live ammunition to disperse the demonstrators, who were angry over provocations by Israeli forces and settlers in al-Aqsa Mosque in East al-Quds (Jerusalem). At least two Palestinians are reported to have been injured in the attacks by Israeli troops.

According to local sources, during similar clashes in the Shu'fat refugee camp in East al-Quds, at least one Palestinian was killed and six others injured. The Palestinian was shot in the chest, according to the Red Crescent and hospital sources.

Also on Thursday, the Israeli regime banned Palestinian men under the age of 50 from attending Friday prayers at Muslims’ third holiest site.

Arabi said the "arbitrary arrests of Palestinians, burning of their homes and preventing them from performing religious rituals constitute flagrant violation" of UN human rights resolutions.

Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Human Right Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein voiced concern over the escalation of the tensions in the occupied territories, slamming Israeli forces for using live ammunition against Palestinians.

“The use of .22 caliber rifles against protesters is of particular concern,” said Zeid.

The confrontations in the occupied territories follow a wave of violence that has seen Israeli settlers and soldiers attacking Palestinian worshipers in al-Aqsa compound over the past weeks.

The al-Aqsa Mosque compound, located in the Israeli-occupied Old City of al-Quds, is a flashpoint holy Islamic site. The location of the compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism. The mosque is Islam’s third holiest site after Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk