PA official condemns closure of Ibrahimi mosque

 Maan News Agency

Published today 16:42

A view of the Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron.(MaanImages/file)

HEBRON (Ma’an) -- A top Palestinian Authority religious figure on Wednesday denounced Israel's closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron while Israelis celebrate a Jewish holiday.

Sheikh Tayseer Tamimi said the site is an "Islamic mosque, and its facilities are not for Israelis or Jews."

Tamimi said the site was not intended to be split into separate parts, as it is currently divided, and especially not under the pretext that it was necessary due to the "heinous massacre" committed there in 1994.

The massacre was carried out by an Israeli settler, who shot dead 29 worshipers. In response, Israeli authorities divided the site so Jews and Muslims could visit it separately.

The site is occasionally closed to Jews or Muslims depending on religious schedules.

The mosque is in the city of Hebron, in the West Bank, and considered occupied Palestinian territory.

Tamimi said this week's closure came days before the end of the holy month of Ramadan as worshipers head to mosques to celebrate the Laylat al-Qadr holiday.

He called the decision a dangerous violation of religious freedom and the right to worship.