Jerusalem: The Jerusalem Affairs Department of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) strongly condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's approval of a measure allowing Israeli colonists to bring full Jewish prayer books into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and conduct organized public prayers there.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the department emphasized that this measure represents a significant escalation that threatens the longstanding historical and legal status quo of the holy site. The department highlighted that this action is part of a systematic process aimed at transforming the nature of worship within the compound, transitioning from silent prayers to organized Talmudic rituals. This shift is seen as an attempt to impose a new reality within the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and challenge its Islamic identity and historical status.
The department expressed concerns that these measures are being used as an "initial test" to gauge reactions, which it views as a dangerous disregard for the religious significance of Jerusalem. It warned of potential repercussions that could affect regional stability, given the ongoing incursions into and attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites.
Emphasizing the mosque's status, the department reiterated that the Al-Aqsa Mosque, encompassing an area of 144 dunums, is an exclusively Islamic holy site. It rejected any attempts to alter its religious and legal character, calling on the international community, including the United Nations, the UN Security Council, and UNESCO, to adopt a clear stance to halt such actions.
The department pledged that the PLO will continue its political, diplomatic, and legal efforts on international platforms to counter these policies and support the resilience of Palestinians in Jerusalem. It warned that continued impunity could lead to further measures that threaten the city's identity and holy sites, undermining prospects for security, stability, and peace.