Israeli Attacks on Mosques and Churches — A New-Old Policy

November 1, 2010

Photos 1+2: Jerusalem – Al Aqsa Mosque. The top frame includes its burning in the year 1969.

When Israeli colonists set Al Anbiya Mosque ablaze in the town of Beit Fajjar in Bethlehem District on the 4^th of October, 2010, they wrote that it was the 18^th mosque targeted by them. They have also indicated that more attacks are still yet to come.

Photo 3: The phrase “This is mosque 18” written by Israeli colonists
on Al Anbiya Mosque in Beit Fajjar

That was the message of the colonists to the Palestinians and to a world that is helplessly trying to attach themselves to the remains of a hopeless “peace process”. The question that arises is that is it true that colonists have attacked only 18 mosques in the West Bank??? The answer is definitely not … The number of targeted mosques is much higher. According to the records and documentation of the Land Research Center (LRC), at least 31 mosques were targetedviolated in the West Bank. The attacks took the form of demolition, arson, taking possession or being threatened to be demolished. Moreover, 4 churches were attacked while Israeli occupation authorities have threatened to cut water supply to the churches of the Old City of Jerusalem. In addition to the physical attacks on mosques and churches, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared on February 21^st, 2010, that his government has added the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and the Bilial Ibn Rabah Mosque in Bethlehem to the “List of National Jewish Heritage Sites.”

Photo 4: The Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron City which was listed by the Israeli Government as a “Jewish National Heritage Site”

Photo 5: Bilal Ibn Rabah Mosque in Bethlehem which was also listed as a Jewish Heritage Site.

The following table lists the number of mosques violated throughout the occupation years in the West Bank:

No,	Governorate	No. of Attacked Mosques
1	Hebron	7
2	Bethlehem	4
3	Jerusalem	9
4	Ramallah	1
5	Salfeet	2
6	Nablus	5
7	Tubas	1
8	Jenin	2
TOTAL		31

Violations Against Mosques in Pictures:

Photo 6: The mosque of the village of Al Aqaba which was issued a demolition order – Tubas District

Photo 7: The Hasan Khader Mosque in the village of Yasuf which was burnt by Israeli colonists – Salfeet District.

Photo 8: Al Khadra Mosque in the city of Nablus which was destroyed by Israeli occupation forces – Nablus District.

Pic.9+10: The Bilal Ibn Rabah Mosque which was attacked by Israeli colonists in the town of Huwwara – Nablus District.

Photo 11: Al Omari Mosque in Jerusalem which has been closed since the year 1967.

Photo 12: Bases to build a mosque in Qarawet Bani Hassan which was issued a Stop Work Orders

The following table lists the number of violated churches throughout the years of Israeli occupation in the West Bank:

No.	District	No. of Violated Churches
1	Bethlehem	1
2	Jerusalem*	3
3	Jerich	1
TOTAL		5

The Jerusalem Occupation Municipality has threatened Jerusalem’s churches and monasteries that it would cut off water supply if they didn’t pay water bills unpaid since the year 1967. That is despite the fact that churches and monasteries are exempted from paying such bills.