OCCUPIED
JERUSALEM, October 4 (IslamOnline.net) - Israeli occupation authorities
have forced scores of Palestinian youths living in occupied Jerusalem to
sign written pledge not to pray inside Al-Aqsa mosque, one of Islam most
sacred sites, from now and until the end of the Muslims holy fasting
month of Ramadan, to be observed as of late October.
The
Israeli intelligence, police and so-called border guards unleashed a
wide-scale detention campaign last week in the occupied Arab Eastern
Jerusalem and the its outskirts, detaining a large number of
Palestinians, particularly those who visit Al-Aqsa mosque on regular
basis.
"Israeli
Intelligence summoned tens of Palestinian youths, aged between 17 and
35, who frequent Al-Aqsa mosque on almost a daily basis for questioning.
They held them in detention for at least 24 hours," Palestinian
legal sources told IslamOnline.net Saturday, October 4.
The
Palestinian youths were only released after signing a written pledge
before an Israeli court in West Jerusalem not to enter Al-Aqsa mosque
until after the end of Ramadan.
Palestinian
sources said Israeli authorities resorted to such measures to avoid
large numbers of Palestinians flocking to the holy site during the
fasting month.
Ban
Speaking
to IOL, a Palestinian father recalled how his son was son Hussein, 19,
was summon by Israeli forces on Tuesday dawn.
He
asserted that Israeli interrogators questioned his son about his
Da’awa activity, his almost daily visit to Al-Aqsa mosque and why he
used to perform prayers there.
The
Israelis even suggested that Hussein performs his prayers in any other
mosque, as long as it is not Al-Aqsa, stressed the father.
"Three
hours after Hussein went to see the Israeli authorities I received a
phone call from an Israeli interrogator he would remain in detention
until Wednesday morning and would only be released if he signed a pledge
not to pray in Al-Aqsa," recalled the Palestinian father.
He
affirmed that the same process was repeated with a large number of
Palestinians, asserting he met tens of parents of detained Palestinian
youths held for the same reason.
Israeli
occupation authorities leave no stone unturn in the efforts to prevent
Muslims, particularly youths, from visiting Al-Aqsa mosque, and
frequently determine the age of those allowed access.
