Arab League Council Condemns Israeli Plans Affecting Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron

Arab League Council Condemns Israeli Plans Affecting Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron
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The Arab League Council has strongly rejected any attempts to alter the status of the Ibrahimi Mosque and its surroundings in Hebron’s Old City, ARN News Centre reported. The council expressed concern over reported Israeli efforts to restrict access, silence the call to prayer, and change the mosque’s features or disconnect it from its Palestinian heritage. It held Israeli forces responsible for these violations.

Emphasizing the importance of maintaining Palestinian administrative control, the council reaffirmed that the mosque is an Islamic endowment managed by the Palestinian Ministry of Islamic Endowments. It warned that Israeli actions at the site are part of broader attempts to reshape the area and called on the international community to enforce relevant resolutions.

The statement followed reports that the Israeli government plans to revoke Hebron municipality’s authority over the mosque and its vicinity. The council’s session was chaired by Jordan, requested by Palestine, and included Arab League officials and permanent ambassadors.

Reiterating support for UNESCO’s 2017 designation of the mosque and Old City as World Heritage in Danger, the council criticized Israel’s lack of sovereignty over Palestinian territories and heritage sites. It described the Israeli plan as a serious escalation threatening the site’s historical identity and Palestinian cultural heritage, with potential regional stability implications.

The council condemned Israeli measures increasing control over Hebron, urged UN action to protect civilians, and called for an urgent monitoring mission. It also requested investigations by UN Special Rapporteurs on religious freedom and human rights and asked Arab missions to communicate the resolution to their host countries.