Syria condemns al-Aqsa Mosque incursion by Israeli settlers

Syria has condemned in the strongest terms Israeli raids against al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian worshipers, calling on the UN to put an end to the regime's inhumane policies and help the Palestinian people restore their historical legitimate rights.

The Syrian foreign ministry, in a statement on Wednesday, denounced an unprecedented aggressive escalation by Israeli settlers against Palestinian people in occupied territories particularly in Jerusalem al-Quds over the last months and weeks, Syria's official news agency SANA reported. 

The ministry said the acts of aggression have been done under the Israeli regime’s support, protection, encouragement and leadership.

It asserted that the latest act of aggression was on Sunday when large groups of extremists stormed al-Aqsa Mosque under the full protection of the Israeli police who also attacked the worshipers inside and outside the mosque.

Palestine denounces incursion of al-Aqsa compound by Israeli settlers

Palestinians strongly denounce the desecration of the al-Aqsa Mosque by extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds.

The Syrian Arab Republic considers such Israeli practices against al-Aqsa Mosque and worshipers an immoral work that reflects the true image of the Israeli entity, the ministry noted.

Syria condemns in strongest terms these Israeli practices, calls on the occupation authorities to respect the rights of the Palestinian people in al-Quds and Aqsa Mosque and in entire occupied Palestine, it stressed.

The ministry also called upon world countries and the UN, including the Security Council, to put an end to such heinous and inhumane practices and to enable the Palestinian people to obtain their historical and legitimate rights, mainly their right to an independent state on their land.

The UN should also end Israel’s occupation of all Arab territories in Syria, Palestine and Lebanon, the ministry concluded.

1000s of Palestinians hold Eid al-Adha prayers in Aqsa after Israeli raids

Tens of thousands of Palestinian worshipers hold Eid al-Adha prayers in the al-Aqsa Mosque compound following violent incursions by settlers backed by Israeli forces into the holy site.

In their latest desecration assault, more than 1,000 Israeli settlers on Sunday forced their way into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound under the tight protection of the Israeli forces. 

The Israeli forces attacked Muslim worshipers, closed the gates of al-Qibli prayer hall with iron chains and detained some of the worshipers. They also launched tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets at worshipers to disperse them. 

Israeli police forcefully evacuated Muslim worshipers to clear the way for the Jewish visitors.

Newly sworn-in Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stood by the decision to allow Jews to visit the site.

The incident took place two days ahead of Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice) celebrated by Muslims, and on the eve of their annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Muslim countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Palestinians condemned the storming of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound by Israeli police.

Iran slams aggression at al-Aqsa Mosque, says UAE accomplice to Israeli crimes

Iran has strongly condemned the Israeli regime’s violence against Palestinian worshipers at al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) accused Israel of “tampering with the security and stability of the region” and called the visits by Jewish settlers provocative and a “serious threat” to security and stability.

The PA, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, said in a statement that it held “the Israeli occupation … fully responsible for the escalation resulting from the Israeli incursion” in the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem al-Quds.

Separately, Mohammad Hamadeh, a spokesman for the Islamic Resistance Movement of Hamas, also condemned violence against Palestinians at al-Aqsa Mosque.

“The Zionist regime is showing its inability to restrain [extremist] settlers. The regime must know Palestinians are ready to confront such provocations,” he stated.

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

www.presstv.co.uk