Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK (AOHR UK) has sent letters to the European Union, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the United Nations Human Rights Council calling for a firm position towards the Israeli recent violations against Palestinians in al-Aqsa Mosque.
AOHR UK further warns of the serious consequences of fuelling a religious war and sectarian hatred in the region.
Since the start of the week, tension has been growing high in al-Aqsa Mosque after Israeli authorities gave a green light to Jewish settlers to intensify attacks and break-ins into the holy site, coinciding with the Jewish Passover.
The escalation came as settler groups called for mass raids of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the Jewish Passover holiday, and the offering of animal sacrifices in its courtyards, which has not occurred since ancient times.
On Friday, April 15, 2022, 152 Palestinians were injured after Israeli police violently stormed the mosque, using tear gas and rubber bullets. The Palestinian Red Crescent also said that Israeli forces held back the arrival of ambulances and paramedics to the mosque.
This violence began when settler groups called for raids on the al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the Jewish Passover. They also provocatively organised animal sacrifices in its courtyards, acts not performed since ancient times.
Two Palestinians were also injured later that day in Abu Dis and Shu’fat, in occupied Jerusalem. One of those hurt was abducted by Israeli forces, along with another Palestinian.
Elsewhere, a young Palestinian, Hashem Riyad Thiab, was attacked and maced after he was stopped at a military roadblock near Shu’fat. He sustained numerous injuries, especially to his head and upper body.
Reports suggest that around 400 Palestinians, including children, were detained across the Occupied Palestinian Territory on the same day. Among those injured were medical workers and journalists.
The tension came after a round of violence ignited by Israeli forces and settlers’ almost-daily attacks and raids into Palestinian homes, which resulted in dozens of casualties. Since the start of the year, 42 Palestinians have been killed by the IOF, 18 of them in April. Six children were among the reported victims.
AOHR UK blamed the uptick in violence on Israeli prime minister Naftali’s decision to grant “all security forces full freedom” to increase assaults on Palestinians.
AOHR UK calls on the European Union, the United Nations Secretary-General, the United Nations Human Rights Council, and the broader international community to condemn Israel’s actions, which risk broadening the conflict into a religious war, and to intervene to stop Israel’s unlawful shoot-to-kill policy against unarmed civilians.
AOHR UK also calls for the concerned parties to hold Israel accountable for its igniting violence and religious hatred, and to bring Israeli military officials to trial as war criminals at the International Criminal Court.
