AL-QUDS (Dispatches) – Palestinian Mufti of Al-Quds Sheikh Mohammed Hussein has voiced opposition to the Judaization projects at the Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied West Bank city of Al-Khalil.
In a statement, the Mufti said that the Zionist regime is planning to build passages, corridors and install an elevator in order to facilitate settlers’ access to the mosque.
He pointed out that such projects mean the confiscation of about 300 square meters of the area of the mosque, stressing “this is a flagrant violation of the Muslim property, as well as a flagrant violation of the international laws which protect holy sites and freedom of worship.”
The regime’s latest actions will increase tensions in the region, he warned, stressing that “these malicious plans will not change the inalienable right of Muslims to their mosques and endowments.”
The occupation is going ahead in its Judaization expansionism by force, he added. “This is a retention of the occupation’s comprehensive war on all Islamic holy sites in Palestine as part of its policy to Judaize the occupied lands.”
Meanwhile, Palestinian resistance groups have condemned a recent visit by a U.S. delegation to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, saying such provocations embolden the Tel Aviv regime to keep violating Palestinians’ rights.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad reacted on Tuesday to the American delegation’s tour of the sacred site while being heavily guarded by Zionist occupation troops.
Hamas said in a statement that the entry of the U.S. delegation into the Al-Aqsa Mosque under the escort of the regime’s police violates international law and resolutions.
“This wrong measure, as we have always emphasized, reflects the United States’ policies in support of the positions taken by the Zionist regime, and it is one of the main reasons for the continuation of the Israeli occupation and acts of aggression against the Palestinian nation and sanctities,” it added.
“The repetition of such moves will encourage the Zionist enemy to commit more foolish acts and will increase tensions by fanning the flames in the occupied territories, especially in Al-Quds. The U.S. government will be responsible for all dangerous consequences.”
Meanwhile, Islamic Jihad spokesman Tariq Salmi said that the U.S. delegation’s visit to Al-Quds and the Al-Aqsa Mosque as well as its meetings with Zionist and Palestinian officials are meant to strengthen the so-called “security cooperation” between the Zionist regime and Palestinian Authority.
This trip, he added, is also aimed at “returning to the path of fruitless peace talks through the implementation of the tripartite agreement between the United States, the Zionist regime and the Palestinian Authority.”