Mezan Center for Human Rights (Nazareth) strongly condemns the Israeli occupation’s insistence on continuing to storm the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the brutal attacks by its forces on the worshippers who were peacefully engaged in I’tikaf (spiritual retreat). The occupation forces forcefully removed them from the Qibli Mosque, arresting them and holding Israel fully responsible for this dangerous escalation and its consequences.

The violent and barbaric attacks by Israeli occupation forces against the worshippers during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday are a blatant violation of their natural and legal right to practice their religious rites and prayers in their mosque, especially during this holy month of Ramadan. This attack is a grave offense against the religious feelings and beliefs of Muslims and a direct violation of international law and United Nations resolutions.

Mezan affirms that the brutal assault on hundreds of worshippers in I’tikaf, while they were handcuffed on the ground of the mosque, is unjustifiable. It reveals the extent of the hatred and sadism that the Israeli police instill in their forces when dealing with worshippers performing religious rituals to draw nearer to God, particularly during the blessed month of Ramadan.

In light of this, Mezan calls upon those with conscience and legal and human rights professionals to volunteer their efforts in defending the detainees, providing legal consultations, and representing them in court. We also call for complaints to be filed against the police officers involved in physically assaulting worshippers, as these actions are part of a systematic policy and premeditated decisions aimed at achieving their goals and plans for Al-Aqsa Mosque, which are no longer hidden from anyone.

Mezan Center for Human Rights – Nazareth
Wednesday – 5 April 2023