AL-KHALIL, (PIC)
The Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, stormed the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, amid tight security measures and a large escort that accompanied his convoy, as Israeli occupation forces (IOF) closed the Mosque to Muslim worshippers.
The far-right Israeli minister delivered a speech to the crowds of settlers storming the Ibrahimi Mosque, and performed Talmudic dances in the courtyards of the Mosque.
Ben-Gvir said in his speech that Israel is going through no easy days, claiming that parties in the Shin Bet are trying to liquidate him politically to alter the elected government.
This comes as the IOF continues to close the Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslim worshippers since Tuesday, and only opened to Jewish settlers to celebrate the Jewish Passover holiday.
The Ibrahimi Mosque is located in the Israeli-controlled Old City of Al-Khalil. Besides the Palestinians, the Old City is forcibly inhabited by about 400 settlers, guarded by about 1,500 Israeli soldiers.
In 1994, Israel divided the Ibrahimi Mosque, allocating 63% of its area for Jews, including the prayer room, and 37% for Muslims, following a massacre committed by a Jewish settler against Muslim worshippers during dawn prayer, which resulted in the martyrdom of 29 worshippers.
Based on the division decision, an investigation committee formed by Israel at the time decided to open the Mosque entirely to Muslims only ten days a year, namely the Fridays of Ramadan, Laylat al-Qadr, Eid al-Fitr and Al-Adha, the night of Isra’ and Miraj, the Prophet’s Birthday, and the Islamic New Year, in exchange for opening it completely to Jews for ten days a year on Jewish religious holidays and events.
