PLO: Banning Palestinians from Ibrahimi Mosque violates international law
A leading Palestinian human rights organization has condemned Israel for preventing Palestinians from accessing the Ibrahimi Mosque in the southern occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil, saying the move is “a violation of international law.”
The Department of Human Rights and Civil Society in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) made the remarks in a statement on the anniversary of the 1994 Ibrahimi Mosque massacre, during which some 30 Palestinian worshipers were killed and 150 others wounded, saying the measure violates all international agreements related to human rights and freedom of worshipers, Palestine’s official Wafa news agency reported on Sunday.
“Since 25 February, 1994, Palestinians have been prevented from reaching the mosque, praying inside it and broadcasting the call to prayer a lot of times,” the statement said.
The organization went on to say that since that date, Israeli authorities have been Judaizing Ibrahimi Mosque by barring Palestinians from entering it when the settlers perform their rituals.
"There are decisions issued by international bodies that decided that Ibrahimi Mosque is part of the human heritage and is a sacred place exclusive to Muslims and Palestinians," it added.
The PLO further called on the international community to uphold its responsibilities and provide international protection for Palestinians and their holy places under the Israeli occupation.
Al-Khali has seen regular unrest, and the shrine, believed to be the burial site of prophets including Abraham, is frequently the focal point of tensions.
Ibrahimi Mosque was split into a synagogue, known to Jews as the Cave of Patriarchs, and a mosque after American-born Israeli settler Baruch Goldstein massacred 29 Palestinians inside the mosque in 1994. Since then, Muslim worshipers have been prevented from having access to the site during Jewish holidays.
After Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, it divided al-Khalil into separate Muslim and Jewish cities.
Al-Khalil, which Jews call Hebron, is the biggest city in the West Bank, home to more than 200,000 Palestinians. About 1,000 Israeli settlers, who engage in frequent attacks on Palestinians, also live there under heavy military protection.
Israel only after ‘erasing entire Palestinian presence’: Hamas
Yemeni forces seize Israeli ship in fresh pro-Palestinian operation
Hezbollah to target Tel Aviv in response to Israeli attacks on Beirut: Sheikh Qassem
US House passes bill targeting charities and pro-Palestine groups
Hezbollah attacks Israeli forces after Lebanese homes blown up
World leaders, states hail ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant
MP: US accountable for possible Israeli 'foolishness' to attack Iraq
VIDEO | Israeli policies strangle Palestinian agriculture, economy
Iran's president offers condolences to Pakistan over terrorist attack
Canada’s Yukon town council at standstill over refusing oath to King Charles
Yemen's Houthi calls for jihad to protect Palestine against Israel
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
