Israeli authorities have closed the Ibrahim Mosque in the West Bank city of Hebron until further notice, preventing Muslims from accessing and worshiping at the sacred site.
Nadal Caberi, General Manager of Hebron Foundations, condemned the closure as "a new attack on the freedom of worship for Muslims." He also highlighted Israel's continued violations of international laws and agreements, as well as its imposition of collective punishment on the Palestinian people.
The Haram al-Abraham in Hebron is considered the fourth holiest site in Islam, following the Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, and the Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina.
Since an attack by a Jewish fanatic in 1994, the mosque has faced significant restrictions and division, with more than half of it allocated to Jewish worshippers after reopening.
The closure of the Ibrahim Mosque is yet another example of Israel's systematic targeting of Muslim holy sites and its efforts to erase Palestinian identity and culture. It is also a flagrant violation of Muslims' right to freedom of worship, which is enshrined in international law.
The international community must condemn Israel's actions and hold it accountable for its violations of international law. It must also pressure Israel to reopen the Ibrahim Mosque and to ensure that Muslims have full and unfettered access to their holy sites.
