Jerusalem, 27 March 2023 (TDI): In a statement, Palestine condemned the continued provocations by Israel against the worshippers as well as the sanctity of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem.
Following is the text of the statement:
The State of Palestine condemns in the strongest terms Israel’s continued provocations and aggression against both the worshippers and the sanctity of Holy Sites in Jerusalem, particularly in and around Al-Haram Al-Sharif;
Israeli occupying forces’ aggression against worshippers during the holiest month of the year, in grave violation of the historical, legal, and political status quo of Jerusalem;
The State of Palestine also condemns the unlawful detention of worshippers followed by the forced invasion of Jewish settlers into Al-Haram Al-Sharif under the protection of Israeli occupying forces;
Israel, the occupying Power, is not committed, as it falsely claims, to either bring about calm in Jerusalem or to guarantee the freedom of religion and worship for all;
Israel, the occupying Power, is willfully and deliberately provoking Muslim worshippers during the Holy Month of Ramadan and is imposing additional punitive restrictions;
The State of Palestine holds Israel fully responsible for dangerous repercussions of its violations of regional and international peace and security;
Also read: Palestine calls on United Nations to investigate crimes
Al-Haram Al-Sharif is a place of Muslim worship, protected and preserved by the historic and internationally recognized status quo and under the sole authority of the Islamic Waqf and the custodianship of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan;
Israel is an occupying Power and has no rightful claim or sovereignty over any part of Jerusalem, including its Holy Sites;
Worshippers have the right to pray in and around Al-Haram Al-Sharif, whenever and in accordance with Islamic practices;
Israel’s militarization and attempts to upend hundreds of years of Islamic traditions are clearly aimed at the spatial and temporal division of Al-Haram Al-Sharif and to impose its control;
Israel’s criminalization of Ramadan celebrations and social and cultural assemblies in Jerusalem is an attack on Palestinian polity and existence;
We call on the international community to ensure that Israel, the occupying Powers, adheres to its obligations under international law;
We also call on the international community to reaffirm its rejection of and non-recognition of any Israeli claims of sovereignty over any part of Palestine, including Jerusalem, and its Holy Sites.
