PLO raps Israel over banning Palestinians from Ibrahimi Mosque
The rights department of the PLO has censured Israeli regime for preventing Palestinians from entering Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil stressing that as a “violation of international law” by Tel Aviv.
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The Department of Human Rights and Civil Society in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) made the remarks in a statement on the anniversary of the 1994 Ibrahimi Mosque massacre, during which some 30 Palestinian worshipers were killed and 150 others wounded, saying the measure violates all international agreements related to human rights and freedom of worshipers, Palestine’s official Wafa news agency reported on Sunday.
“Since 25 February, 1994, Palestinians have been prevented from reaching the mosque, praying inside it and broadcasting the call to prayer a lot of times,” the statement said.
The organization went on to say that since that date, Israeli authorities have been Judaizing Ibrahimi Mosque by barring Palestinians from entering it when the settlers perform their rituals.
"There are decisions issued by international bodies that decided that Ibrahimi Mosque is part of the human heritage and is a sacred place exclusive to Muslims and Palestinians," it added.
The PLO further called on the international community to uphold its responsibilities and provide international protection for Palestinians and their holy places under the Israeli occupation.
Al-Khali has seen regular unrest, and the shrine, believed to be the burial site of prophets including Abraham, is frequently the focal point of tensions.
Ibrahimi Mosque was split into a synagogue, known to Jews as the Cave of Patriarchs, and a mosque after American-born Israeli settler Baruch Goldstein massacred 29 Palestinians inside the mosque in 1994. Since then, Muslim worshipers have been prevented from having access to the site during Jewish holidays.
After Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, it divided al-Khalil into separate Muslim and Jewish cities.
Al-Khalil, which Jews call Hebron, is the biggest city in the West Bank, home to more than 200,000 Palestinians. About 1,000 Israeli settlers, who engage in frequent attacks on Palestinians, also live there under heavy military protection.
