Tuesday, Jun 14, 2016

Ramallah: The Israeli occupation forces have announced their categorical refusal to allow iftar and suhour meals into Al Aqsa Mosque for those praying in the holy shrine.

For the third day in a row, the Israeli occupation forces erected a roadblock at Bab Al Asbat (Lions’ Gate) and denied three trucks loaded with more than 6,000 readymade iftar meals to reach the fasting Palestinians inside Al Aqsa Mosque in yet a new measure against worshipping Palestinians.

Some Jerusalemites said that Israel wanted Muslims at the holy site to leave, giving the Jews the chance to raid the holy shrine and celebrate the Shavuot holiday.

Israel’s far right groups have invited Jews from around Israel and the world to celebrate and mark the Jewish feast inside Al Haram Al Sharif of occupied east Jerusalem. The Jewish celebrations were scheduled to conclude later on Monday. Other Jerusalemites believe that banning iftar and suhour meals is meant to force praying Palestinians outside Al Aqsa Mosque at certain times.

According to Mazen Abu Qalbain, an activist and spokesman for Al Murabiteen (defenders), those who come to Al Aqsa Mosque cannot bring their food including (iftar and suhour) with them. He stressed that Jerusalemites usually provide those who come from other cities to the holy shrine with iftar and suhour. “Israel, however, does not allow this any more,” he said.

“This is not because of the Jewish feast. Israel bans meals inside Al Aqsa Mosque once and for all to force those inside the mosque to leave to have breakfast and suhour,” he said. He said that the iftar meals had been donated and provided by four charitable local organisations for the fasting Palestinians and the Israeli occupation forces had been notified about the donation as the local organisation donors have already coordinated the entry of the iftar meals to those praying in Al Aqsa Mosque with the Israeli Police.

Palestinians inside Al Aqsa Mosque gathered at the Lions’ Gate and chanted slogans expressing their dissatisfaction with the unfair Israeli move which prevented fasting people from ending their fast.

Despite Israel’s restrictions, tens of thousands of Palestinians from Jerusalem, the West Bank and the 1948 areas spend days and nights at the holy shrine during the month of Ramadan. “Those who stay at the holy shrine during Ramadan do not find a problem with the food and meals even if they continue their fast 24 hours a day, but insist on remaining inside the holy shrine,” he said. “Jerusalemites will never leave visitors and praying people at Al Haram Al Sharif with no iftar and suhour despite all the Israeli moves. Period.”

by Nasouh Nazzal Correspondent

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