Press Releases
16 March 2010 |Reference 16/ 2010
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Israeli occupation forces (IOF) escalated its restraint practices against Palestinians in Jerusalem city amid the silence of the international community and Israel’s failure to fulfill its legal obligations towards the protection of Palestinian civilians and their properties in the occupied Palestinian territories (OPT).
This escalation coincides with the confiscation of Palestinian lands and the destruction of homes.
The IOF escalated its measures against Palestinians; including preventing worshippers from praying in Al Aqsa Mosque, violating their rights to practice their religion, limiting the access to the Mosque and allowing only elderly people who are over 50 years old to pray in the Mosque.
The IOF surrounded the Mosque while the worshippers were inside praying.
The IOF also beat the worshippers and protesters
When the Israeli authority included the Abraham holy place in Hebron city and Belal Bin Rabah mosque in Bethlehem city in the list of the Jewish formal heritage, the IOF hastened its practices aimed at wiping out the Arabic and Islamic traces and monuments in Jerusalem city.
The IOF has increased its excavation under the foundations of Al Aqsa Mosque which threatens the Mosque.
Extremist Jewish groups announced their intent to put the foundation stone of the so called 'Destruction Synagogue ' in the vicinity of the Al Aqsa Mosque.
Theses extremist groups have beem campaigning for the building of the 'Destruction Synagogue' which would be the first step for them to build the temple of Solomon on the rubble of Al Aqsa Mosque.
Al Mezan emphasizes that Jerusalem is an occupied city and that the rules of international law and the fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians during war are applicable.
International law and the fourth Geneva Convention ensure the rights of Palestinians to free movement and to practice their religion.
These laws also prevent the Israeli authority from arbitrarily displacing Palestinians.
Al Mezan views the Israeli escalation in East Jerusalem with grave concern.
Al Mezan calls upon the international community to effectively intervene to stop the systematic Israeli violations of Palestinians rights.
It also calls upon the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to promptly intervene to protect the Islamic and Christian holly places in Jerusalem.
Ends
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