MNLF condemns Israeli attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Apr 9, 2023): MNLF condemns Israeli attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Former Muslim secessionist group Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem.

Dozens of Palestinians were injured and hundreds arrested by Israeli police in the raid early on Wednesday, April 5, sparking widespread clashes and protests in the West Bank during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

“We strongly condemn the recent attack on our Muslim brothers and sisters who were praying inside Al-Aqsa Masjid in this holy month of Ramadan. This violent act goes against the fundamental principles of humanity, respect, and tolerance. Every individual has the right to practice their religion freely without fear of violence or persecution,” the MNLF, chaired by Nur Misuari said over the weekend.

“The attack on Al-Aqsa Masjid by the Israeli soldiers is not only an attack on the Muslim community but also an attack on the sanctity of a religious site that holds immense significance to millions of people around the world. We must all stand together to denounce such senseless acts of violence and work towards creating a more peaceful and harmonious world,” it added.

Israeli said security units were forced to enter a prayer hall in the Temple Mount compound, known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif, after what it called masked agitators barricaded themselves inside the mosque after nightly Ramadan prayers, in violation of an agreement ahead of the holy month that worshippers would not be allowed to stay in the house of prayer overnight.

Manila has not issued any statement on the raid, but Israel is a major supplier of weapons to the Philippines.

Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, also condemned the attack. “As Palestinian Muslims gathered for Ramadan prayers exercising their right to worship in Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israeli authorities used blatantly excessive and unjustified force against them,” she said.

Albanese said Israeli forces violently entered Al-Aqsa Mosque, used stun grenades and tear gas, fired sponge-tipped bullets, and indiscriminately beat Muslim worshippers – including elderly people and women – with batons and rifle butts. She added that at least 450 Palestinian men were reportedly arrested, and some were kicked and slapped by escorting soldiers as they were led out of the Haram Al-Sharif compound in handcuffs.

She deplored the “reckless and unlawful” actions of Israeli forces, which reportedly allowed some 165 Jewish Israelis to enter the compound, in violation of the Status Quo Agreement, which Israel is bound to respect. “The well-known desire of Israeli settlers to either destroy the mosque or forcibly convert all or part of the compound into a synagogue, as happened to the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, is a source of deep anxiety among Palestinians,” she said.

The Special Rapporteur noted that similar violence took place during the holy month of Ramadan in 2021 and 2022, adding to the daily violence under Israeli occupation.

“These actions have led to a spiralling situation of rocket fire into Israel and missiles launched into Gaza, endangering civilians on both sides of the Green Line. I am alarmed by the escalation of violence, particularly because of the further devastation it will bring to Palestinians in Gaza, who have been trapped by an inescapable siege since 2007,” Albanese said.

“Over the years, Israel has not ceased its violent attacks against Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in violation of international law,” she said, calling on the international community to step up efforts to hold the occupying power accountable for its unacceptable behavior in the occupied territory before the situation spirals further out of control.

“It is imperative that all parties comply with international law, without exception,” she said. “Failure to do so fuels and perpetuates the culture of injustice and impunity.”

On Saturday, April 8, Israel announced it would extend a closure on Palestinians entering Israel from the West Bank, and would also suspend special entry permits for Palestinians in Gaza to visit Israel for Ramadan prayers and for work, according to the Washington-based, non-profit media organization, National Public Radio. (Mindanao Examiner)

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