League of Arab States warns against dangerous Israeli escalation in Al-Aqsa Mosque and West Bank

The General Secretariat of the League of Arab States condemns in the strongest terms the continued Israeli escalation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, marked by intensified military measures, closures and restrictions on the movement of Palestinian citizens in conjunction with the Jewish holidays, as well as the dangerous escalation targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque and attempts to impose new realities within its precincts.

The General Secretariat emphasises the grave danger posed by the disclosure by the commander of the Jerusalem District of the Israeli occupation police that a trial was conducted to introduce Jewish prayer books, known as the “Siddur”, into Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as reports regarding the possibility of permitting the introduction of other religious books and items in the future.

This constitutes a highly dangerous development that could entrench new practices and rituals within the Mosque and alter its existing historical and legal status quo.

The General Secretariat condemns the Israeli occupation authorities’ tightening of military measures in the occupied West Bank, including the closure of roads, gates and checkpoints, and the obstruction of citizens’ movement and access to their workplaces and places of worship, particularly as roads and entrances in several Palestinian governorates remain closed.

The General Secretariat particularly warns against exploiting the Jewish holiday period to escalate incursions into and violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque, amid the incursions witnessed in recent days, the performance of religious rituals, and the introduction of religious items and prayer books into its courtyards, accompanied by restrictions on Palestinian worshippers’ access to the Mosque.

The General Secretariat calls on the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to assume its responsibilities and oblige Israel, the occupying Power, to halt all measures and practices that violate the rights of the Palestinian people, freedom of worship, and the established historical and legal status quo governing Muslim and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem.