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OIC, Muslim countries, Hamas condemn Israeli settlers’ aggression against al-Aqsa Mosque

Members of Israeli forces stand guard, as a group of extremist Jewish settlers enter the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem al-Quds, on July 18, 2021. (Photo by AFP)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Muslim states and Palestinian resistance movements have strongly condemned Israeli forces for violating the sanctity of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds, and allowing extremist settlers to raid worshippers at Islam’s third holiest site.

The OIC said in a statement that such repeated sacrilegious attacks come as part of the Tel Aviv regime’s bids to change the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem al-Quds, emphasizing that such attempts constitute a violation of international law, the Geneva Conventions and relevant United Nations resolutions.

The inter-governmental organization held the Israeli regime fully responsible for the consequences of these systematic attacks, calling on the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to assume its responsibilities to put an end to such violations.

The OIC also called for the establishment of peace on the basis of the so-called two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and creation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

The so-called Arab Peace Initiative calls for Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Palestinian territories occupied after 1967 in exchange for peace and the full normalization of relations.

Separately, Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez denounced violations against al-Aqsa Mosque by extremist settlers under the protection of Israeli police.

He said in a press statement that Cairo has always warned against raids on al-Aqsa Mosque, which enjoys a great and scared status among all Muslims worldwide.

Hafez said it is the responsibility of Israeli authorities to protect worshipers in order to maintain security and stability, stressing the need to refrain from any actions that would escalate tensions.

He underlined the need for resumption of the so-called peace negotiations in accordance with international law, and known UN resolutions.

Jordan also denounced Israel's continued violations against al-Aqsa Mosque.

Daifallah al-Fayez, spokesman for the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, said in a statement that Israeli actions against the mosque are rejected and condemned, and represent a violation of international law, and Israel's obligations as an occupying power in East Jerusalem al-Quds.

He said his ministry has called on Israel to stop its violations and provocations, respect the historical and legal status quo of Jerusalem al-Quds, the sanctity of the mosque and the freedom of worshipers, and the authority of the Jordan-run Jerusalem al-Quds Endowment Department and al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs.

Additionally, Turkey condemned Israeli forces for “violating the sanctity of al-Aqsa Mosque” and allowing Israeli settlers to raid the holy site.

“We condemn Israeli forces for violating the sanctity of al-Aqsa Mosque by allowing racist Jewish groups to storm the site, assaulting Palestinian worshippers with stun grenades, and detaining some Palestinian civilians, including women and children,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“We reiterate our call on Israel to end these provocative acts and attacks as soon as possible,” it noted.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Hamadeh, a spokesman for the Islamic Resistance Movement of Hamas, has condemned violence against Palestinians at Al-Aqsa Mosque in the holy city of Jerusalem al-Quds.

“The Zionist regime is showing its inability to restrain [extremist] settlers. The regime must know Palestinians are ready to confront such provocations,” he stated.

Hamadeh called on Palestinians to stream into Jerusalem al-Quds and al-Aqsa Mosque, and seize the opportunity to stand up against the Tel Aviv regime’s violations.

The Islamic Jihad resistance movement also denounced the desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque as an act of terror and aggression that targets all Muslims and Arabs.

“Some countries insist on normalizing relations with the Zionist enemy at the same time as the regime is exposing its hostile intentions towards Islam’s sacred sites,” it stated, calling on Palestinians to converge on al-Aqsa Mosque to defend it.

The Gaza-based Mujahideen Brigades resistance group condemned Israeli forces’ violations against al-Aqsa Mosque as a crime, blaming the Zionist regime for its consequences.

“The sword drawn by resistance fighters in defense of Palestinians’ rights and their sanctities will not be laid down, and the battle will go on,” it said.

Israel occupied the Old City of Jerusalem al-Quds during the Six-Day War of 1967.

Israel lays claim to the entire Jerusalem al-Quds, but the international community views the city’s eastern sector as occupied territory and Palestinians consider it the capital of their future state.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 478, adopted on August 20, 1980, prohibits countries from establishing diplomatic missions in Jerusalem al-Quds.


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