Israeli Occupation Authorities Close Ibrahimi Mosque, Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque

Ramallah, September 16 (KUNA) -- Israeli occupation authorities announced today the closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the city of Hebron, in the southern West Bank, until the evening of tomorrow, Thursday, citing celebrations by settlers of Jewish holidays. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs condemned the decision to close the mosque to worshippers on Wednesday and Thursday in the name of Jewish holidays. The ministry’s statement quoted the Ibrahimi Mosque’s director, Mu’taz Abu Asnina, saying the closure is part of “the ongoing escalation and efforts to seize the remaining parts of the mosque,” affirming that it is “an exclusively Islamic site in all its courtyards and plazas,” and that such practices constitute a blatant violation of freedom of worship guaranteed by international covenants. The ministry called on international and human rights institutions to intervene urgently to halt what it described as “systematic violations” and to protect the Ibrahimi Mosque and ensure free access for Muslim worshippers. In a related development, the Jerusalem Governorate said in a statement that settlers breached the Al-Aqsa Mosque today under the protection of Israeli occupation forces and performed Talmudic rituals in its courtyards, with the participation of soldiers from the Israeli army. It added that Jewish rabbis are inciting the establishment of a synagogue inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This comes as Israeli occupation authorities impose restrictions on Palestinians’ entry to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and close the Ibrahimi Mosque to worshippers. (End) N.Q. / M.N.F.