We condemn in the strongest terms the Israeli occupation’s decision to hold a concert in the Bir Saba Great Mosque in the Palestinian territories occupied in 1948. 

This is a grave violation of the mosque’s sanctity and amounts to a provocation for all Muslims around the world. 

We stress that all historical mosques across occupied Palestine will remain an exclusive waqf (endowment) property that highlights the connection between the Palestinian people and their homeland, history, and civilisation. 

The Israeli occupation’s Judisation and settler-colonial policies will not succeed in distorting the features of occupied Palestine or altering historical facts. 

We call on the Palestinian people to confront such policies and protect their homeland and holy sites with all means possible. 

Fawzi Barhoum
Hamas spokesperson 
Friday, 2 September 2022