L’occupant sioniste multiplie ses agressions contre les mosquées en Cisjordanie pendant le mois sacré
Since the beginning of Ramadan, the Israeli occupation has significantly intensified its attacks on mosques in the West Bank. These acts go beyond targeted killings and property destruction, aiming to erase the Muslim identity of the Palestinian people.
Reports indicate that Zionist settlers, supported by military forces, have engaged in vandalism against places of worship, predominantly in Nablus and Hebron, particularly during the essential prayer times of Fajr and Tarawih. Notably, the Nasr Mosque in Nablus was recently set ablaze, accompanying destruction reported at other mosques including Satoune, Ajaj, the Grand Salahi Mosque, Tinah Mosque, and Beyk Mosque. There have been accounts of settlers using tear gas inside some mosques during these assaults.
Nawaf Al Amer, a journalist and researcher focused on the history of Jerusalem and religious issues, highlighted that such attacks aim to sever the bond between Palestinians and their mosques, distancing them from their faith, which the occupiers view as a threat. Since the inception of the occupation, Israel has systematically targeted mosques—destroying, setting fire to, or converting them into commercial properties.
Al Amer emphasized that this warfare against mosques aligns with a broader strategy of « Judaizing » sacred spaces for Muslims. He cited the banning of the call to prayer at the Salman Al Farisi Mosque in Bourine as an example of religious warfare initiated by the occupiers, claiming the mosque’s call disrupted colonists nearby, who are seen as a focal point of extreme Zionism in the region.
He argues that safeguarding mosques against these aggressions requires increased Muslim presence within these spaces. This could be enhanced through the establishment of surveillance committees and the installation of security measures like cameras and fire alarms.
Moreover, Al Amer linked the escalating violence against West Bank mosques to the broader genocide unfolding in Gaza, where the Israeli entity has reportedly destroyed 89% of the mosques, with 834 out of 1244 completely obliterated. Additionally, 275 mosques in Gaza are unable to operate due to severe damage.
Moustafa Barghouthi, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, condemned the arson attacks on mosques during Ramadan, deeming them a dangerous escalation and serious aggression. He pointed out that these acts reflect the occupation’s policies targeting the religious and national identity of the Palestinian people.
Barghouthi also noted that assaults on places of worship coincide with escalating violence against Palestinian towns and refugee camps. He called upon Arab nations and the international community to intervene and hold the occupiers accountable, urging them to halt their aggressions.
In summary, the Israeli occupation’s recent assaults on mosques in the West Bank mark a deliberate strategy to undermine the Muslim identity of Palestinians during Ramadan. Such actions include vandalism, attacks with tear gas, and the arson of mosques, all occurring alongside an increase in violence across Palestinian territories. Experts argue that these aggressions have historical roots in the broader agenda of erasing Muslim heritage, urging for heightened security measures and international intervention to protect these sacred sites.
