Arab League denounces Israeli settlers’ attack on mosque near Nablus
Arab League denounces Israeli settlers’ attack on mosque near Nablus
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The Arab League has expressed condemnation over the burning of a Palestinian mosque by Israeli settlers during an attack on the village of Tell near Nablus, north of the occupied West Bank, Arab News reported.
On Monday morning, settlers vandalized a mosque by spray-painting offensive phrases and starting a fire, which left the place filled with black smoke and soot.
The Arab League said that the targeting of religious sanctities is a dangerous escalation that fuels hate speech and violence, undermining any international efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability, according to Wafa news agency.
It called on the UN to take concrete steps to stop these repeated attacks and ensure the protection of places of worship.
The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Religious Affairs reported that settlers vandalized or attacked 45 mosques in the West Bank last year.
The recent incident occurred as Muslims began observing the holy month of Ramadan last week, which continues into March. Israeli forces have increased their presence in the West Bank and around the city of Jerusalem, allowing only children under 12, men over 55, and women over 50 to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque.
At least 1,094 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops and settlers in the West Bank since the Gaza war began in October 2023, according to the latest United Nations figures.
Last week, the UN Human Rights Council warned in a new report that Israeli policies in the West Bank – including “the systematic unlawful use of force by Israeli security forces” and unlawful demolitions of Palestinian homes – aim to uproot Palestinian communities.
It added that these policies are aimed at “altering the character, status and demographic composition of the occupied West Bank, raising serious concerns of ethnic cleansing”.
The UN also warned last year that settler attacks were being carried out “with the acquiescence, support, and in some cases participation, of Israeli security forces”.
