Senior Member of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) Executive Committee, condemned on Sunday, what she described as Israeli violations across the internationally-recognized occupied East Jerusalem, in light of the recent Israeli entry ban, imposed on a grand Palestinian Muslim scholar.
In a statement, issued by Ashrawi earlier today, the senior Palestinian official regarded the entry ban for Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, an iconic Muslim community leader and Imam of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as some other leaders, as a violation of the freedom of worship that is guaranteed by international law.
“Freedom of worship is a basic right that is guaranteed by all international laws and conventions. Continued Israeli crackdown on Palestinians including religious figures, journalists, women and children, as well as the employees of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, are all aimed at transforming the Arab-Palestinian old city, into a Jewish-only area”, Ashrawi’s statement read.
She maintained that Israeli policies are those of occupation and since Israel has occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in June 1967, it has practiced an organized crackdown on both Muslim and Christian Palestinian residents.
Ashrawi, who is a Christian Palestinian, also blamed the United States for what she termed an absolute backing of the occupation state of Israel, particularly two years ago, when US president, Donald Trump, officially recognized Jerusalem including western and eastern parts as the capital of the state of Israel.
“The international community should make sure that all provisions of international law, especially those pertaining to human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, must be respected by the state of Israel”, the statement concluded.
Last week, Israeli occupying police in the internationally-recognized occupied East Jerusalem, handed over Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, Imam of the Al-Aqsa Mosque of East Jerusalem, an entry ban order for a period of four months. The order prevents Sabri from entering the mosque or leading any Friday sermon.
Image: Dr. Ashrawi – PNN
