Israeli Antiquity Authority staff members escorted by armed police and soldiers stormed on Tuesday morning Muslims’ Bab Al-Rahma Cemetery in Occupied Jerusalem and filled eight tombs with sand.
Head of the Islamic Cemeteries Committee Sheikh Mustafa Abu Zahra slammed the break-in.
“The Israeli occupation forces violated the sanctity of the cemetery and covered up eight graves prepared for the burial of dead Muslims” Abu Zahara told the PIC.
“I headed to the cemetery and scrutinized the scale of destruction” he stated adding that a lawyer has been hired to file a lawsuit over the assault.
According to Abu Zahra the Israeli Antiquity Authority claimed ownership of the Bab Al-Rahma Cemetery which has been an Islamic property for over 1400 years as has been corroborated by documents and historical records.
The Israeli occupation authorities seized parts of Bab Al-Rahma Cemetery adjacent to the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque to build parks for Israeli settlers residing in illegal outposts across the occupied Palestinian territories.
Muslims have meanwhile been banned from burying their dead relatives in the cemetery.
The Bab Al-Rahma Cemetery draws much of its sacred character from the fact that it has been a home to the cadavers of a number of Companions of the Prophet of Islam Mohamed (Peace Be Upon Him).
