Condemnation continues over Al-Aqsa violations

CAIRO - 20 July 2017: International condemnation continues regarding the violations taken against Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli forces that have completed six days in a row.

The Israeli forces announced that Friday prayers for Muslims would not be held at Al-Aqsa Mosque and prevented the Grand Mufti from entering the Mosque from multiple entrances. This occurred after three Palestinian gunmen opened fire and shot dead two Israeli policemen.

In reaction to this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson expressed on Friday Egypt's deep concerns about the violent escalations in Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Friday morning.

Also, Egypt’s Grand Mufti Shawki Allam strongly condemned the detention of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem (preacher), Muhammad Ahmad Hussein by Israeli forces Friday, according to a statement.

Regarding Arab countries stances, Lebanon’s Parliament condemned the Israeli practices, calling on the international community and the Security Council to take appropriate decisions to lift the Israeli hand from Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Nativity; it further expressed solidarity with the Palestinians.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the Israeli decision to close Al-Aqsa Mosque and ban prayers inside. Also, Saudi Shura Council condemned the restriction of access of Muslims to the mosque and the prevention of Friday prayer inside it.

As for foreign stances, The White House strongly condemned on Saturday the Jerusalem attack, stressing that terrorism should not be tolerated, the day after the attack that killed three Palestinians and two Israeli policemen.

The decision, the first of its kind since 1969, is a crime and flagrant aggression against holy places as well as against the Palestinians' rights and freedom to practice their religious rites, the Jeddah-based organization said in a Saturday statement.