Jerusalem:The Jerusalem Governorate has issued a warning regarding the exploitation of Jewish holidays to impose new realities on the ground, specifically targeting the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the daily lives of Jerusalemites. The warning comes amid increased violations by Israeli occupation authorities and colonists during the third day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
According to Palestine news andInformation Agency, the Governorate highlighted the closure of the Wadi al-Rababa intersection in the Silwan neighborhood, which coincided with students heading to school, causing significant traffic congestion. Additionally, Bab al-Asbat Street towards the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery and the Mughrabi Gate was also closed.
These closures are anticipated to extend to other roads leading to the Western Wall to facilitate the movement of colonists participating in religious rituals. The Governorate emphasized that these measures represent collective punishment and systematic restrictions on Jerusalemites, serving the rituals of the colonists while disrupting the city's residents.
The statement further stressed that protecting colonists during their incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is linked to occupation measures throughout the Old City and surrounding areas, including street closures and military procedures. This, they argue, transforms Jerusalem into a city where resident movement is dictated by colonist needs.
The Governorate declared that the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound should not be used for occupation authorities' experiments or to recreate alleged historical rituals, warning that such practices could escalate tensions in Jerusalem and beyond.
Additionally, the international community, Arab and Islamic states, and relevant international institutions were urged to fulfill their responsibilities by taking action to halt incursions and provocative rituals at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Governorate also called for documenting violations during the Jewish holidays as part of a policy aimed at altering the city's religious and cultural landscape.
Finally, the Governorate affirmed that Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa will continue to symbolize Palestinian national and religious identity, asserting that the occupation's measures and practices do not legitimize the occupation or alter the mosque's true identity and status.