Another Ramadan, another series of attacks on Palestinians at Al-Aqsa

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Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem is under attack from Israeli forces during one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan.

As The Canary’s Tom Anderson explains:

Since April 2, Israel has killed 19 Palestinians, and launched bomb strikes against the Gaza Strip. Israeli soldiers have also attacked crowds attending Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque during Ramadan. The escalating series of Israeli attacks is looking increasingly like a repeat of the events of last May, which ended in a full-scale Israeli assault on Gaza and an uprising across historic Palestine.

Al-Jazeera journalist Arwa Ibrahim shared footage of one of the attacks:

 

As Jewish Voice for Peace point out, it is important to acknowledge that Palestinians were gathered in worship when they were attacked:

Palestinians are under attack every month of the year, but it is a choice on the part of Israel to attack yearly during Ramadan.

History of Al-Aqsa

As Labour MP Claudia Webbe highlights, Al-Aqsa is often under attack during Ramadan:

Law professor Khaled Beydoun also notes the now-regular attacks during Ramadan:

Middle East Monitor provide a timeline that tracks Israel’s attacks on the Al-Aqsa mosque that dates back to 1967. In 2015, it reports that:

On the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, settler gangs stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque from Al-Mughrabi Gate, protected by the security forces.

In 2018:

62 settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan

In 2019 there were multiple attacks throughout Ramadan, including when:

Israel places restrictions on Palestinian access to Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, with men aged 30-40 needing permits to do so, and those 16-29 ineligible to apply. There are no criteria for applying for permits, only conditions for consideration

In 2020, during Ramadan:

Israeli occupation forces storm the house of Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher Sheikh Ekrima Sabri saying they will hold him accountable for any flare-ups at the Muslim holy site, after he warns settlers may be allowed to storm the site while it remains closed during the coronavirus pandemic

In 2021:

100 Palestinians were injured after Israeli forces fired at worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan

These attacks span throughout the months of the year, not only Ramadan.

AJ+ provide context for the Ramadan attacks, with details on how Israeli forces break into Al-Aqsa regularly:

Empathy

Reporting of Palestinian subjugation often uses inaccurate and inappropriate language. Writer Taj Ali warns against calling the attacks “clashes”:

Palestinians are under attack every day from Israeli occupation. They deserve the same empathy that we extend to others under occupation.

Featured image via Wikimedia Commons/Andrew Ratto – resized to 770×403, via Creative Commons 2.0

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  • Show Comments

    1. The hatred that Zionists feel for Al Aqsa is palpable. It is- as a Palestinian in Silwan told me- “like a shard of glass in Israel’s throat.”
      I used to sit at the Damascus gate at dusk . One evening, I heard singing emanating from within the Old city. Investigating , I came across a collection of about sixty Israelis standing in the gloom outside Al Aqsa singing for its destruction. It was like a scene from a horror film; ghoulish, disturbing, mentally unbalanced.
      Passing Palestinians were intimidated by this scene; I found it disquieting to say the least.

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    2. It has become a tradition of Israel to attack Palestine, Lebanon, Syria every Ramadan, Christmas or Easter! Pure Bullying Scum! Ironic that Whining Bob Dylan wrote the Zionist Anthem ‘Bully Boy’, of how the neighbours and the rest of the world are bullies to poor little Israel, funny that!

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