Iran Condemns Silence on Israeli Assaults on Holy Sites

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi condemned the silence of certain regional governments which has emboldened Israelis to attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem al-Quds, calling on the international community to denounce the assaults.

News ID: 443608

Date: 23 February 2019 - 14:26

RNA - Qassemi, in a Thursday statement, slammed the silence of certain regional states over the Israeli assaults, saying, “The silence encourages Zionists to continue their aggressions on the historical and Islamic sites of Palestinians.”

The Iranian diplomat called for an immediate and practical action by Islamic countries and international bodies and organizations, including the UN, to denounce the latest attack by the racist Zionists on al-Aqsa Mosque and put an end to such aggression.

Qassemi said the killing and ethno-religious cleansing in al-Quds has been underway in a constant and organized way since the occupation of the Palestinian territories.

However, he added, the deadly silence of certain regional states over the “repeated violence of the Zionists”, their participation in the ridiculous show co-organized by the US and Israel in Warsaw, and their establishment of overt and covert ties with the killers of the Palestinian people “have emboldened and encouraged the Zionists” to continue their aggression on historical and Islamic sites, particularly those in al-Quds.

The spokesman then praised and paid tribute to the Palestinians, specially the residents of al-Quds, for their resistance and protection of the sacred Islamic sites against Israeli aggression.

Over 20 Palestinians were injured and 13 others arrested on Tuesday evening when the Israeli police broke into al-Aqsa Mosque and assaulted worshipers at al-Rahma Gate.

Local sources announced that the Israeli police surrounded al-Aqsa Mosque, detained protesting worshipers inside, and brutally attacked them, Palinfo reported.

The confrontations later extended to the outer doors of al-Aqsa Mosque, while undercover police officers deployed in the area and kidnapped a number of Palestinian youths, the sources added.

Tension has prevailed in al-Aqsa Mosque area since the early morning hours after dozens of Palestinian youths removed iron chains and locks placed by the Israeli police at the door leading to al-Rahma Gate in the Eastern side of the Mosque.

Dozens of Palestinian worshipers on Monday performed their prayers at al-Rahma Gate in protest at the Israeli closure which is seen as part of a larger plan to divide al-Aqsa Mosque in favor of Israeli settlers.

Earlier on Tuesday, 49 extremist settlers forced their way into al-Aqsa Mosque under police guard. The settlers carried out provocative tours inside the Mosque while given presentations on the alleged "Temple Mount".

Also on Tuesday, dozens of Palestinians were injured when the Israeli occupation forces attacked peaceful protesters on the coast North of Gaza.

The Ministry of Health announced that 20 Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire and tear gas bombs.

Gaza coast protests have been a major part of the Great March of Return launched in late March 2018.

Member of the Higher National Committee of the Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege Khaled Abu Helal said that the peaceful protests in the Gaza Strip will continue in all possible ways until they achieve their goals, mainly breaking the blockade.

According to Fars News Agancy, the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since the start of the border demonstrations have launched several flotillas of dozens of vessels toward Israeli-controlled water in a bid to break the siege. All boats were intercepted and those on board were arrested by the Israeli navy.

For more than ten months, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have demonstrated along the fence demanding their right to return to the homes and land their families were expelled from 70 years ago. The Great March of Return rallies culminated on May 15 to mark what Palestinians refer to as the Nakba, or Catastrophe - a reference to the forced removal of 750,000 Palestinians from their homes and villages to clear the way for Israel's establishment in 1948.

More than 270 Palestinian protesters have been killed and more than 27,000 Palestinians injured by Israeli forces since the outbreak of the Great March of Return rallies at Gaza border in late March.

Most of the casualties occurred on May 14 when Israeli forces attacked Palestinians marking the 70th anniversary of Israel’s occupation of historical Palestine and the ensuing ethnic cleansing of half a million Palestinian refugees.

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