Commenting on the Israeli decision to banish Jerusalemite figures from al-Aqsa Mosque and to summon some of them for interrogation, member of Hamas Political Bureau Husam Badran stated the following:

The Israeli occupation has decided to ban the head of the Muslim Waqf (Endowment) Council in Jerusalem, Sheikh Abdul-Azim Salhab, and his deputy, Sheikh Najeh Bkerat, along with dozens of Palestinian worshippers and al-Aqsa guards, from entering al-Aqsa compound. It also summoned the Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Adnan Al-Husayni for interrogation.

Indeed, all of these Israeli acts prove that the latest Palestinian peaceful, popular action taken to defend al-Aqsa’s Bab al-Rahma has hit the Israeli occupation hard.

Hamas hails the Palestinian people in Jerusalem for taking a decisive decision to defend al-Aqsa Mosque and reiterates that the Muslim Waqf Council enjoys sovereignty over the holy site. The movement stresses that the Israeli Occupation is not entitled to banish any Palestinian from al-Aqsa Mosque. 

We urge Jordan, custodian of the Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, to take a firm stance towards the Israeli hegemony over Jerusalem’s holy sites and to put an end to the Israeli violations in the holy city.

Furthermore, Jordan should report the Israeli crimes and attempts to claim sovereignty over Jerusalem to Arab, Islamic, and international organisations and bodies.  

Hamas calls on the Palestinian people to participate in the activities announced by the Muslim Waqf Council and Palestinian figures that aim to fight off the Israeli policy of banishing Palestinians from al-Aqsa Mosque.

Husam Badran

Member of Hamas Political Bureau

March 4, 2019