Israel is dragging us into religious war: Palestinian govt

RAMALLAH - 21 July 2017: The Palestinian government called on the international community to quickly assume responsibility towards the Israeli escalation in Al Quds.

"This escalation is dragging us into religious and sectarian wars already imposed on the region," said, a statement, Government Spokesman Yousef al-Mahmoud.

He condemned the arrest campaign targeting Palestinian youth within which a number of national leaders from al Quds have been arrested in addition to new measures restrict entrance of worshipers to al Aqsa Mosque.

Mahmoud called on the Arab summit and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to shoulder responsibility towards al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian people.

The Israeli government refuses international and regional demands calling for stopping escalation measures, Mahmoud added.

Instead, it continues its attempts of changing historical quo of holy Mosque of Al Aqsa and al Quds in a striking violation against the Arab and Muslim sanctity and against the Palestinian state which is recognized by most of world countries, al Mahmoud further added.

Six Palestinians were injured outside Al Aqsa Mosque when Israeli police forces fired rubber bullets at them while being on their way to perform Friday prayers, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.

Eyewitnesses told MENA that the Israeli police used rubber bullets, tear gas and sound bombs to disperse worshipers, adding that they deliberately moved clashes from Al Aqsa Mosque’s gates to Al Quds entrances.

Meanwhile, Israeli Minister of Transport Yisrael Katz told Israel’s Channel 7 that Tel Aviv will not give up Al Aqsa Mosque, stressing that Israel is responsible for maintaining security there.