Palestinians in Israel have called for demonstrations today in support of Jerusalem as Arab countries and leaders strongly condemned the latest Israeli measures and attacks against Palestinian in the occupied holy city.
The Arab Follow-Up Committee, which represents the Palestinians inside Israel, called for a mass rally today in support of Jerusalem in light of an escalation of Israeli aggression against the city’s Palestinian population including last night’s brutal attack by the police against Muslim worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s old city.
It called in a statement on the Palestinians in Israel to demonstrate today in their cities and towns and to dispatch delegations to Jerusalem, specifically Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, whose Palestinian residents are under threat of eviction to be replaced by Jewish settlers, and to Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli police attacked worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest places, before and after the night prayers leading to the injury of more than 200 people, some of them suffered fractured skull and loss of eye after being hit by rubber-coated metal bullets.
“All these crimes require us to stand by our one people. We are part of the battle, and it is important that we make our voice heard today with a series of demonstrations in the different towns and intersections,” said the Arab Follow-Up Committee.
Meanwhile, Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Abul Gheit condemned the police raid at Al-Aqsa Mosque and the use of teargas, stun grenades and rubber bullets against the worshippers, stressing that the assault provokes the feelings of Muslims around the world and reflects Israel’s policy of escalation.
He called for an international intervention to put an end to the Israeli escalation, which he warned could lead to an explosion in the situation in the occupied territories.
The Arab League chief also held the Israeli government responsible for what he described as “irresponsible and dangerous escalation” by embracing the strategies of the radical settler groups.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the Israeli police attack against Al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing that Israel, as the occupying power, is responsible under international law to provide protection to the civilian Palestinian population and to guarantee their right for freedom of worship.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmad Hafez also condemned in a statement attempts to evict Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem in order to replace them with Jewish settlers.
The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry also condemned the Israeli police attacks against Al-Aqsa Mosque, which it described in a statement at a blatant challenge to the feelings of Muslims in the world, international law, and to the most basic rules of human rights.
The Ministry blamed the Israeli occupation authorities for this dangerous escalation and the consequences it would have.
Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA