Israeli Terror In Occupied Palestine Over Holiday Weekend
Israel's latest human rights violation against the people of Palestine has left religious celebrations marred with ethnic violence.
Over the weekend, which marked simultaneous religious holidays for Muslims, Jews and Christians alike, Israeli security forces committed yet another attack against the Palestinian people in the region of occupied East Jerusalem. Once again raiding the Al-Aqsa mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam, in what is yet another violation of international law by the apartheid regime.
The pre-dawn raid was carried out on the morning of April 15th, following weeks of escalating tensions, as Israeli police stormed the building while thousands were gathered for morning prayer. Brutalizing and detaining hundreds of Palestinians with tear gas, stun grenades, rubber bullets, and batons as they worshipped.
Medics on the scene reported at least 158 Palestinians were injured in the clashes that followed, with hundreds more arrested.
The director of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, referred to the attack as barbaric and premeditated. As reported by Common Dreams, Israeli forces indiscriminately targeted anyone present in the mosque; including medics, journalists, mosque volunteers, women, and children.
At least one child and two journalists were among those detained. While one guard had to be treated for wounds after being shot in the eye with a rubber coated steel bullet.
Following the attack, the Facebook account of a news outlet covering the carnage was temporarily shut down as the social media company appeared to capitulate to demands for censorship by Israeli authorities before reversing the decision.
Palestinian news site Al-Qastal reported Saturday that it’s account had been suspended by Facebook without explanation, saying this was due to its tireless coverage of Israeli violence. And after two of its reporters were victims of said violence.
Journalists Nesreen Salem and Mohammed Samreen were both wounded by rubber-coated steel bullets, Salem was shot in the head, while Samreen was injured in the leg. Samreen was then later arrested and taken to Al Mascobiya interrogation centre. Both of their conditions are unknown at this time.
Less than forty eight hours later, on the morning of April 17th, Israeli Security Forces proceeded to storm the mosque for a second time.
Once again assaulting peaceful worshippers, beating them with batons, firing tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber coated steel bullets. Forcing them off of the holy grounds and clearing the way for Israeli settlers to enter.
Attacks also occurred at the nearby Al-Qibli prayer hall, where occupational forces barricaded worshippers inside for nearly four hours after filling the hall with tear gas while preventing medics from treating the wounded.
These attacks constitute an act of religious repression, and violates international law.
As mentioned by Middle East Eye, —
Israel's control of occupied East Jerusalem, including the Old City, violates several principles under international law, which stipulates that an occupying power has no sovereignty in the territory it occupies and cannot make any permanent changes there.
The escalation of attacks has lead to local fears of a resurgence of the violence that gripped the area less than a year ago.
In May of 2021 an exchange of attacks between Israeli and Palestinian forces largely feuded by occupational forces illegally displacing the Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah led to an 11-day war which rocked Gaza.
Resulting in multiple violations of international law, including rocket attacks against the Al-Aqsa mosque, and the death of at least 250 Palestinians and 13 Israelis.
As recent hostilities from both sides escalate, Israeli forces have been increasing violence against Palestinians during the holy month of Ramadan.
On February 1st of this year, the world’s foremost human rights organization, Amnesty International, finally joined numerous other rights organizations in officially declaring Israel an apartheid state guilty of crimes against humanity.
Please Like, Comment, Share, & Subscribe! Thank You For Supporting Independent Journalism!