News

Israel’s closure of Al Aqsa mosque during Friday prayers for second week unacceptable

Statements

(WASHINGTON DC 07/21/2017) – The American Muslims for Palestine, a national education organization, condemns in the harshest terms possible, Israeli authorities’ closure of Al Aqsa mosque during Friday prayers for the second week in a row. Depriving Palestinians of their inalienable rights to worship freely violates international and American laws, proves Israel is intolerant of different faiths and is acting with a reckless disregard for internationally recognized human rights.

Additionally, the closures, metal detectors and checkpoints are proof Israel is using the current situation in Jerusalem as a pretext to divide the mosque and prohibit Muslims from accessing their holy site during certain days and/or time periods. Such measures have been debated in the Jerusalem municipality and Israeli Knesset and now appear to be coming to fruition.

“Jerusalem is under occupation. The entire globe recognizes this and rejects Israel’s attempts to ‘Judaize’ the city,” said Osama Abuirshaid, AMP national policy director. “Israel is using the term ‘security’ as a smokescreen, obfuscating the fact all problems in Jerusalem stem directly from the military occupation.”

AMP calls upon the American Muslim community and all people of conscience to organize activities, including rallies in your cities to help raise awareness that the right to worship freely in Jerusalem is under attack. AMP has prepared an Organizers' Tool Kit to help you prepare. You can also get more information on what is happening in Jerusalem from our Jerusalem Project Page. For more help, please contact AMP.