27 june 2016
The Israeli Magistrate’s Court in Occupied Jerusalem indicted a Muslim young man for chanting “Allah is the Greatest” at the holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
Lawyer Ramzi Kteilat who pleaded for 37-year-old Saher Ghazawi, from Nazareth, said the Israeli court criminalized the Muslim chant “Allah is the Greatest” as an act of incitement.
The lawyer slammed the verdict which criminalized Muslim chants in the presence of Israeli settlers.
Other court hearings are expected to be held over the rule issued against Ghazawi.
The Israeli court accused the young man of obstructing police work as they provided a security shield for Israeli fanatics at al-Aqsa in 2011. “The verdict sparks incitement more than Ghazawi does,” Kteilat further stated, raising concerns over the serious repercussions of the verdict.
He dubbed the court rule a politicized decision and one that has no legal basis. Commenting on the verdict, Ghazawi said it rather fuels tension at al-Aqsa and triggers rioting.
“Saying ‘Allah is the Greatest’ is a ritual that brings us closer to Allah. Nobody has the right to infringe our freedom of worship, particularly in Muslims’ the al-Aqsa Mosque,” said Ghazawi.
Ghazawi’s case dates back to September 21, 2011, when Israeli settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque while Muslim worshipers kept chanting Allah is the Greatest in protest at the move. Ghazawi was arrested on the same day and was subjected to psycho-physical violence by the Israeli forces.
The Israeli occupation authorities locked him up for 24 hours before the Magistrate’s court slapped on him a 10-day ban from al-Aqsa.
Lawyer Ramzi Kteilat who pleaded for 37-year-old Saher Ghazawi, from Nazareth, said the Israeli court criminalized the Muslim chant “Allah is the Greatest” as an act of incitement.
The lawyer slammed the verdict which criminalized Muslim chants in the presence of Israeli settlers.
Other court hearings are expected to be held over the rule issued against Ghazawi.
The Israeli court accused the young man of obstructing police work as they provided a security shield for Israeli fanatics at al-Aqsa in 2011. “The verdict sparks incitement more than Ghazawi does,” Kteilat further stated, raising concerns over the serious repercussions of the verdict.
He dubbed the court rule a politicized decision and one that has no legal basis. Commenting on the verdict, Ghazawi said it rather fuels tension at al-Aqsa and triggers rioting.
“Saying ‘Allah is the Greatest’ is a ritual that brings us closer to Allah. Nobody has the right to infringe our freedom of worship, particularly in Muslims’ the al-Aqsa Mosque,” said Ghazawi.
Ghazawi’s case dates back to September 21, 2011, when Israeli settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque while Muslim worshipers kept chanting Allah is the Greatest in protest at the move. Ghazawi was arrested on the same day and was subjected to psycho-physical violence by the Israeli forces.
The Israeli occupation authorities locked him up for 24 hours before the Magistrate’s court slapped on him a 10-day ban from al-Aqsa.
The Jordanian government denounced the escalating Israeli violations against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, including the Sunday and Monday invasions, and the attacks targeting worshippers and Waqf department employees, in addition to the usage of rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs into the mosque courtyards.
Jordan Government Spokesperson, Dr. Mohammad Al Momani, issued a statement calling for an immediate cessation of all violations, and invasions into the mosque.
Dr. Momani added that the Israeli practices violate every international agreement regarding the protection of the Freedom of Worship, and the protection of holy sites.
On his part, Jordanian deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh said that he and Jordan’s Embassy in Tel Aviv have contacted various Israeli officials, denouncing the Israeli violations and holding Tel Aviv responsible for any further escalation.
Judeh called on the international community to oblige Israel to end its serious escalations of International Law and International Humanitarian Law, and to respect and protect the freedom of worship.
Jordan Government Spokesperson, Dr. Mohammad Al Momani, issued a statement calling for an immediate cessation of all violations, and invasions into the mosque.
Dr. Momani added that the Israeli practices violate every international agreement regarding the protection of the Freedom of Worship, and the protection of holy sites.
On his part, Jordanian deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh said that he and Jordan’s Embassy in Tel Aviv have contacted various Israeli officials, denouncing the Israeli violations and holding Tel Aviv responsible for any further escalation.
Judeh called on the international community to oblige Israel to end its serious escalations of International Law and International Humanitarian Law, and to respect and protect the freedom of worship.
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Dozens of Israeli soldiers, and undercover officers, stormed on Monday morning that courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque through the al-Magharba Gate, attacked many Palestinian worshipers before closing the Al-Qibli Mosque, in preparation to allow dozens of Israeli extremists to tour the holy site.
The soldiers and undercover officers forced all the Palestinian worshipers out of the mosque and its courtyards, in addition to assaulting and wounding many of them. The invasion was carried out through the al-Magharba Gate. The army closed the al-Qibli mosque with chains, and removed the worshipers from it and its courtyards. The soldiers also fired gas bombs, causing several Palestinians to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation, while a number of Palestinians hurled stones on the invading soldiers. The Maan News Agency quoted Sheikh Azzam Khatib, the head of the Jerusalem Waqf and Endowments Department, stating that the invasions were carried out under direct orders from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reauthorized such provocative tours. Khatib said the Israeli police affirmed at midnight that the al-Magharba Gate, similar to previous years, will not be open for settlers or foreign tourists during the last ten days of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, but Netanyahu allowed them. |
“The Al-Aqsa Mosque was calm, and all was fine until nine in the morning, when suddenly, the police opened the Magharba Gate to allow the settlers through,” Khatib stated, “The soldiers and police surrounded dozens of worshipers, and attacked many of them.”
On Sunday evening, the police attacked many Palestinian and international worshipers, detained two Palestinians, and decided to force them out of the Mosque courtyards for several weeks.
The police also decided to deport two British men back to their country, after detaining them in the mosque courtyard. They have been identified as Mohammad Froukh and Julfan Heidjan.
On Sunday evening, the police attacked many Palestinian and international worshipers, detained two Palestinians, and decided to force them out of the Mosque courtyards for several weeks.
The police also decided to deport two British men back to their country, after detaining them in the mosque courtyard. They have been identified as Mohammad Froukh and Julfan Heidjan.
26 june 2016
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, overnight and on Sunday morning, at least eleven Palestinians in different parts of the occupied West Bank, and detained three South Africans, in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied Jerusalem. Five Palestinians were injured in Al-Aqsa courtyards. Video: Army Attack Worshipers In Al-Aqsa.
The Bethlehem office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) has reported that the soldiers invaded al-Khader and Nahhalin towns, searched many homes and kidnapped four Palestinians identified as Bassam Na’im al-Balboul, Nassar Mohammad Nassar, Fares Yousef an-Niess and Noureddin Mohammad Shakarna.
The soldiers also invaded the central West Bank district of Tubas and kidnapped three Palestinians, identified as Rabea’ Mustafa Shafe’ey, Husam Hammad Abu Zeina and Hussein Daraghma.
In Ramallah, the soldiers searched a few homes and kidnapped a Palestinian, identified as ‘Eid Tal’at Rimawi, 23, from Beit Rima town.
In occupied Jerusalem, the soldiers kidnapped Saleh Bader Abu ‘Assab and Mohammad Naseef, in addition to three South African men, and one Palestinian from Jenin, protesting ongoing Israeli invasions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers and fanatic settlers stormed the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa mosque, before the army assaulted many worshipers who protested the provocative tour.
The soldiers prevented all worshipers below the age of 30 from entering the mosque, and opened the al-Magharba Gate to allow dozens of Israeli extremists into the courtyards. The mosque was only opened to Muslim worshipers after 11:30 before noon.
At least five persons were injured during ensuing clashes between the worshipers and the invading soldiers. The wounded were moved to the Al-Makassed Hospital in Jerusalem.
The Bethlehem office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) has reported that the soldiers invaded al-Khader and Nahhalin towns, searched many homes and kidnapped four Palestinians identified as Bassam Na’im al-Balboul, Nassar Mohammad Nassar, Fares Yousef an-Niess and Noureddin Mohammad Shakarna.
The soldiers also invaded the central West Bank district of Tubas and kidnapped three Palestinians, identified as Rabea’ Mustafa Shafe’ey, Husam Hammad Abu Zeina and Hussein Daraghma.
In Ramallah, the soldiers searched a few homes and kidnapped a Palestinian, identified as ‘Eid Tal’at Rimawi, 23, from Beit Rima town.
In occupied Jerusalem, the soldiers kidnapped Saleh Bader Abu ‘Assab and Mohammad Naseef, in addition to three South African men, and one Palestinian from Jenin, protesting ongoing Israeli invasions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers and fanatic settlers stormed the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa mosque, before the army assaulted many worshipers who protested the provocative tour.
The soldiers prevented all worshipers below the age of 30 from entering the mosque, and opened the al-Magharba Gate to allow dozens of Israeli extremists into the courtyards. The mosque was only opened to Muslim worshipers after 11:30 before noon.
At least five persons were injured during ensuing clashes between the worshipers and the invading soldiers. The wounded were moved to the Al-Makassed Hospital in Jerusalem.
Despite the tight Israeli restrictions, Muslim worshipers have been striving to intensify their presence at the holy al-Aqsa Mosque, in Occupied Jerusalem, during Ramadan month.
Muslim child Mu’men Awda, who had tried every possible effort to pray at al-Aqsa on Friday, was arrested by the occupation soldiers at the Qalandiya checkpoint for carrying a fake identity card.
The hand-written card was a spontaneous move carried out by a child so eager to perform his prayers at al-Aqsa.
Several Palestinians who have endured exhaustive and long trips from the occupied territories to pray at al-Aqsa were shocked over an Israeli measure limiting the age of those to be allowed in to 45 and above.
39-year-old Muhammad Jaradat, from Jenin, said he was stopped at the Qalandiya checkpoint and forced to go back home due to age restrictions.
Several other youths have run the risk of jumping off the apartheid wall trying to reach the Mosque. “Never ever shall we give up our efforts to reach al-Aqsa,” a Muslim worshiper told a PIC correspondent.
A number of fasting Muslim worshipers have been arrested by the Israeli border cops and locked up inside hot metal caravans for long hours before they were released at border-crossings and forced out of Occupied Jerusalem.
Over 250,000 Muslim worshipers performed Friday’s noon prayers at the holy al-Aqsa Mosque despite the tight restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation army.
Muslim child Mu’men Awda, who had tried every possible effort to pray at al-Aqsa on Friday, was arrested by the occupation soldiers at the Qalandiya checkpoint for carrying a fake identity card.
The hand-written card was a spontaneous move carried out by a child so eager to perform his prayers at al-Aqsa.
Several Palestinians who have endured exhaustive and long trips from the occupied territories to pray at al-Aqsa were shocked over an Israeli measure limiting the age of those to be allowed in to 45 and above.
39-year-old Muhammad Jaradat, from Jenin, said he was stopped at the Qalandiya checkpoint and forced to go back home due to age restrictions.
Several other youths have run the risk of jumping off the apartheid wall trying to reach the Mosque. “Never ever shall we give up our efforts to reach al-Aqsa,” a Muslim worshiper told a PIC correspondent.
A number of fasting Muslim worshipers have been arrested by the Israeli border cops and locked up inside hot metal caravans for long hours before they were released at border-crossings and forced out of Occupied Jerusalem.
Over 250,000 Muslim worshipers performed Friday’s noon prayers at the holy al-Aqsa Mosque despite the tight restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation army.
24 june 2016
Israeli police tightened restrictions on Palestinians’ access into al-Aqsa Mosque for Ramadan’s third week of Friday prayer.
According to Israeli police statement, thousands of police officers will be deployed throughout occupied Jerusalem, with an emphasis on the Old City, “to oversee security for Ramadan’s third week of Friday prayer.”
Undercover units, Border Police, Traffic Patrol personnel, and other officers will be on hand throughout the day to oversee the massive procession, the statement said.
All units will also be deployed to all public areas in the city, including the central bus station, light rail, and bus stops, according to the statement.
All men and women under the age of 45 will be prevented from having access to the occupied Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque, the Israeli police warned.
Last Friday prayers, more than 200,000 Palestinian worshipers managed to enter al-Aqsa Mosque despite the Israeli tight restrictions.
According to Israeli police statement, thousands of police officers will be deployed throughout occupied Jerusalem, with an emphasis on the Old City, “to oversee security for Ramadan’s third week of Friday prayer.”
Undercover units, Border Police, Traffic Patrol personnel, and other officers will be on hand throughout the day to oversee the massive procession, the statement said.
All units will also be deployed to all public areas in the city, including the central bus station, light rail, and bus stops, according to the statement.
All men and women under the age of 45 will be prevented from having access to the occupied Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque, the Israeli police warned.
Last Friday prayers, more than 200,000 Palestinian worshipers managed to enter al-Aqsa Mosque despite the Israeli tight restrictions.
23 june 2016
A group of Israeli extremists assaulted the Pentecostal prayer procession in Jerusalem this week, shouting and trying to occupy Mount Zion to keep the Christians out.
The Israeli police arrested five demonstrators who locked themselves in the holy site known as King David’s Tomb before the Christian procession arrived.
The protesters consisted of right-wing religious Jewish Israelis who wore traditional Jewish yarmulkes on their heads as they screamed and shouted at the Christian worshipers, and tried to physically attack them.
Israeli police blocked the crowd of several dozen demonstrators, but some got through and hit some of the Eastern Orthodox Christian worshipers, according to local sources.
The Pentecostal procession is an annual event in which Eastern Orthodox Christians pray at the presumed site of the Last Supper.
According to the Israeli paper Ha’aretz, one ultra-Orthodox protester who identified himself as Tzvi told them, “It hurts me that they are letting these goyim (non-Jews) come here. It hurts me that these evil men, who have oppressed the Jews throughout history, are being allowed to contaminate our holy sites. And it hurts me even more that the police, led by our Jewish government, are allowing them to do so.”
Although King David’s Tomb is supposed to be open to people of all religions to pray, it has unofficially been turned into a synagogue, and Jewish rabbis prevent any non-Jews from entering, apart from five times a year when Christians are allowed to enter to commemorate holy days.
As the procession, consisting of many members of the Eastern Orthodox hierarchy, made its way up Mt. Zion to the Room of the Last Supper, the Israeli protesters shouted, “We will tear down this abomination! You are evil!”
The Christian elders and brothers stayed in the tomb only a few minutes, and were met by loud booing and hissing the whole time. As they left, the Israeli daily Ha’aretz reports that one ultra-Orthodox demonstrator shouted, “The goyim got their way this time. But they won’t the next time. King David lives forever! The people of Israel live forever!”
The Israeli police arrested five demonstrators who locked themselves in the holy site known as King David’s Tomb before the Christian procession arrived.
The protesters consisted of right-wing religious Jewish Israelis who wore traditional Jewish yarmulkes on their heads as they screamed and shouted at the Christian worshipers, and tried to physically attack them.
Israeli police blocked the crowd of several dozen demonstrators, but some got through and hit some of the Eastern Orthodox Christian worshipers, according to local sources.
The Pentecostal procession is an annual event in which Eastern Orthodox Christians pray at the presumed site of the Last Supper.
According to the Israeli paper Ha’aretz, one ultra-Orthodox protester who identified himself as Tzvi told them, “It hurts me that they are letting these goyim (non-Jews) come here. It hurts me that these evil men, who have oppressed the Jews throughout history, are being allowed to contaminate our holy sites. And it hurts me even more that the police, led by our Jewish government, are allowing them to do so.”
Although King David’s Tomb is supposed to be open to people of all religions to pray, it has unofficially been turned into a synagogue, and Jewish rabbis prevent any non-Jews from entering, apart from five times a year when Christians are allowed to enter to commemorate holy days.
As the procession, consisting of many members of the Eastern Orthodox hierarchy, made its way up Mt. Zion to the Room of the Last Supper, the Israeli protesters shouted, “We will tear down this abomination! You are evil!”
The Christian elders and brothers stayed in the tomb only a few minutes, and were met by loud booing and hissing the whole time. As they left, the Israeli daily Ha’aretz reports that one ultra-Orthodox demonstrator shouted, “The goyim got their way this time. But they won’t the next time. King David lives forever! The people of Israel live forever!”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday condemned ongoing excavations by the Israeli government beneath al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
According to the ministry, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “continues to employ all its potential in its war against the annexed East Jerusalem, and the Palestinian presence there, in order to enforce the arbitrary Judaization policies.”
Background: 02/15/15 Jewish Organization to Begin Further Excavations under Al Aqsa
It said that such excavations target to separate the city from its Palestinian surroundings. To achieve this, the ministry added, “the Israeli authorities are seeking to Judaize the city and obliterate its Palestinian identity.”
The ministry condemned, according to WAFA, what it described as “international silence” towards the crimes of the Israeli occupation in Jerusalem. It called upon the UN Security Council to pressure Israel to stop these violations, which form a flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions and international law.
The ministry called on the Arab and Muslim countries “not to keep silent”, in the face of the Israeli violations in Jerusalem, and called upon them to immediately act, in order to protect the holy city.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam and is also venerated as Judaism’s most holy place. Disputes surrounding visitation to the site have historically flared tensions in the occupied Palestinian territory.
In 2003, the Israeli government unilaterally decided — despite the objections of the Islamic Endowments Department — to allow non-Muslim visitors into the complex.
Since then, under increasingly right-wing Israeli governments, extremist Jewish settlers have been allowed into the site in ever greater numbers — usually protected by Israeli security forces — while Palestinian access to the site has become increasingly restricted.
Christians outside of the Levant remain divided on the issue, as biblical end times prophecy states: “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” ~Revelation 21:22
However, settler attacks on Christian holy sites have been progressive in recent years, and are now on the increase, as well.
According to the ministry, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “continues to employ all its potential in its war against the annexed East Jerusalem, and the Palestinian presence there, in order to enforce the arbitrary Judaization policies.”
Background: 02/15/15 Jewish Organization to Begin Further Excavations under Al Aqsa
It said that such excavations target to separate the city from its Palestinian surroundings. To achieve this, the ministry added, “the Israeli authorities are seeking to Judaize the city and obliterate its Palestinian identity.”
The ministry condemned, according to WAFA, what it described as “international silence” towards the crimes of the Israeli occupation in Jerusalem. It called upon the UN Security Council to pressure Israel to stop these violations, which form a flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions and international law.
The ministry called on the Arab and Muslim countries “not to keep silent”, in the face of the Israeli violations in Jerusalem, and called upon them to immediately act, in order to protect the holy city.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam and is also venerated as Judaism’s most holy place. Disputes surrounding visitation to the site have historically flared tensions in the occupied Palestinian territory.
In 2003, the Israeli government unilaterally decided — despite the objections of the Islamic Endowments Department — to allow non-Muslim visitors into the complex.
Since then, under increasingly right-wing Israeli governments, extremist Jewish settlers have been allowed into the site in ever greater numbers — usually protected by Israeli security forces — while Palestinian access to the site has become increasingly restricted.
Christians outside of the Levant remain divided on the issue, as biblical end times prophecy states: “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” ~Revelation 21:22
However, settler attacks on Christian holy sites have been progressive in recent years, and are now on the increase, as well.
22 june 2016
Dozens of Israeli settlers carried out Wednesday morning a provocative break-in into al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy police protection.
According to Quds Press, 55 Israeli settlers stormed the Mosque and toured the holy Islamic compound after entry via al-Magharibeh gate escorted by heavy armed police officials.
Palestinian worshipers started shouting Takbeer in protest against the settlers’ provocative break-in into their holy shrine during the holy month of Ramadan.
Meanwhile, Israeli police officers stationed outside of the compound checked the Palestinian worshipers’ identity cards before their entry into the Mosque.
Israeli authorities allowed settlers’ break-ins into al-Aqsa during Ramadan at a time when Muslims look forward to dedicating their time to fasting, prayer, and other spiritual activities in Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the most sacred sites in Islam.
Extremist Settlers Continue to Storm Al Aqsa
Israeli settlers, on Wednesday, resumed their provocative visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
WAFA correspondence said that small groups of extremist settlers, accompanied by an Israeli police escort, broke into the site during the morning, to perform rituals.
In the meantime, Islamic Waqf guards present at the site expelled a Jewish rabbi and his grandson, after they tried to pray Talmudic prayers theirs.
The al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem has become a flashpoint of the escalating conflict in recent months. It is the third holiest place for Muslims, and has since 1967 been the center of the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
While it is widely known as Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jews refer to the site as the “Temple Mount” and believe it was the site of two Jewish temples destroyed in ancient times.
According to Quds Press, 55 Israeli settlers stormed the Mosque and toured the holy Islamic compound after entry via al-Magharibeh gate escorted by heavy armed police officials.
Palestinian worshipers started shouting Takbeer in protest against the settlers’ provocative break-in into their holy shrine during the holy month of Ramadan.
Meanwhile, Israeli police officers stationed outside of the compound checked the Palestinian worshipers’ identity cards before their entry into the Mosque.
Israeli authorities allowed settlers’ break-ins into al-Aqsa during Ramadan at a time when Muslims look forward to dedicating their time to fasting, prayer, and other spiritual activities in Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the most sacred sites in Islam.
Extremist Settlers Continue to Storm Al Aqsa
Israeli settlers, on Wednesday, resumed their provocative visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
WAFA correspondence said that small groups of extremist settlers, accompanied by an Israeli police escort, broke into the site during the morning, to perform rituals.
In the meantime, Islamic Waqf guards present at the site expelled a Jewish rabbi and his grandson, after they tried to pray Talmudic prayers theirs.
The al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem has become a flashpoint of the escalating conflict in recent months. It is the third holiest place for Muslims, and has since 1967 been the center of the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
While it is widely known as Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jews refer to the site as the “Temple Mount” and believe it was the site of two Jewish temples destroyed in ancient times.
21 june 2016
A net installed in the Old City to prevent garbage dropped by Israeli settlers into a Palestinian area
Today, 21st June 2016, Israeli forces delayed and stopped several Palestinians on their way to noon-prayer at Ibrahimi mosque in occupied al-Khalil (Hebron).
During the last few days, Israeli forces have been stopping, checking and delaying Palestinians at several checkpoints in the vicinity of Ibrahimi mosque in the old city of al-Khalil.
At the Ibrahimi mosque checkpoint that leads from the Palestinian market to the Ibrahimi mosque area, Israeli forces delayed worshippers trying to get to the mosque for prayers, stalling the process making everything go extremely slow. Thus, long queues formed and people were forced to wait for a long time.
In less than one hour, Israeli forces stopped 7 women to thoroughly inspect their bags and 3 men to check their IDs, sending one of them to the checkpoint at the mosque-entrance for further checks, forcing him to wait even longer. All of these checks are purely arbitrary, and Palestinians crossing checkpoints thus never know whether they will be stopped, questioned, detained or for how long they might be delayed.
Additionally, Israeli forces stopped four boys, three of whom were carrying containers with soup, that is handed out in the soup-kitchen connected to the Ibrahimi mosque. Israeli forces stopped them asking to examine the soup-containers they were carrying. The same happened to 3 girls crossing a checkpoint further down the street from there.
They, as well, were ordered to stop by Israeli forces asking to ‘check’ the containers of fresh hot soup. How and in which way these children carrying soup that is donated to families in need, are posing any kind of threat to the Israeli forces or why they have to be stopped, remains unclear.
The majority of Palestinians attending prayers at Ibrahimi mosque, are forced to cross at least two checkpoints on their way to prayer. Any possible way to reach the mosque, two checkpoints is the least number of checkpoints any Palestinian has to pass to practice their freedom of religion.
Most Palestinians, however, have to cross more than this minimum number of two checkpoints though, as coming from another direction they have to cross at least 4 checkpoints. In the recent days, large numbers of Palestinians have been stopped and checked at one of these checkpoints, where they’ve already had to pass two checkpoints before to even get to this checkpoint.
Given this arbitrariness and the impossibility to know what to expect when simply trying to go to prayer, is only one form of Israeli forces’ inhumane treatment inflicted only on the Palestinian residents, and thus an apartheid strategy.
Today, 21st June 2016, Israeli forces delayed and stopped several Palestinians on their way to noon-prayer at Ibrahimi mosque in occupied al-Khalil (Hebron).
During the last few days, Israeli forces have been stopping, checking and delaying Palestinians at several checkpoints in the vicinity of Ibrahimi mosque in the old city of al-Khalil.
At the Ibrahimi mosque checkpoint that leads from the Palestinian market to the Ibrahimi mosque area, Israeli forces delayed worshippers trying to get to the mosque for prayers, stalling the process making everything go extremely slow. Thus, long queues formed and people were forced to wait for a long time.
In less than one hour, Israeli forces stopped 7 women to thoroughly inspect their bags and 3 men to check their IDs, sending one of them to the checkpoint at the mosque-entrance for further checks, forcing him to wait even longer. All of these checks are purely arbitrary, and Palestinians crossing checkpoints thus never know whether they will be stopped, questioned, detained or for how long they might be delayed.
Additionally, Israeli forces stopped four boys, three of whom were carrying containers with soup, that is handed out in the soup-kitchen connected to the Ibrahimi mosque. Israeli forces stopped them asking to examine the soup-containers they were carrying. The same happened to 3 girls crossing a checkpoint further down the street from there.
They, as well, were ordered to stop by Israeli forces asking to ‘check’ the containers of fresh hot soup. How and in which way these children carrying soup that is donated to families in need, are posing any kind of threat to the Israeli forces or why they have to be stopped, remains unclear.
The majority of Palestinians attending prayers at Ibrahimi mosque, are forced to cross at least two checkpoints on their way to prayer. Any possible way to reach the mosque, two checkpoints is the least number of checkpoints any Palestinian has to pass to practice their freedom of religion.
Most Palestinians, however, have to cross more than this minimum number of two checkpoints though, as coming from another direction they have to cross at least 4 checkpoints. In the recent days, large numbers of Palestinians have been stopped and checked at one of these checkpoints, where they’ve already had to pass two checkpoints before to even get to this checkpoint.
Given this arbitrariness and the impossibility to know what to expect when simply trying to go to prayer, is only one form of Israeli forces’ inhumane treatment inflicted only on the Palestinian residents, and thus an apartheid strategy.
