Friday, January 17^th 2020, Just after Fajr prayer, Israeli  Police forces raided Al-Aqsa mosque and released sonic bombs and rubber bullets towards worshippers, a big part of the victims are elderly and children. This follows calls from Jerusalemites to pray Fajr prayer at Bab Ar-Rahma Prayer area, hoping to protect it from permanent closure threats.

One of the worshippers told LRC:

“Friday morning, we went to Al-Aqsa mosque to perform Fajr prayer, along with many Jerusalemites who responded to the calls and joined Fajr prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque to show steadfastness and reaffirm the Islamic identity of the mosque in light of all the current attacks against Islamic heritage in Jerusalem .

The Occupation Police raided the mosque in numbers firing rubber bullets and sonic bombs, under claims that a Palestinian boy threw a stone on one of the police members standing in front of Mughrabi gate , the police assaulted and abused worshippers in the mosque , which resulted in several casualties.”

There is a fierce campaign against Al-Aqsa mosque and its worshippers and visitrs, the Occupation police issued tens of bans against Palestinian worshippers who regularly visit the mosque ranging between (weeks – months).

The occupation police attempts to get rid of Palestinian and Muslim worshippers, to secure settlers’ raids to the mosque, and provide an atmosphere that allows changing the historical and cultural identity of the mosque.

.

Protecting margenalized communities in Jerusalem through legal support and advocacy

This report was prepared with EU funding, the contents of this document do not reflect positions of the Eurpean Union