Escalating wave of arrests against Jerusalemites

Hundred of Jerusalem worshipers have managed to gain access to Ar-Rahma gate , close to the eastern wall of Al-Aqsa mosque. Ar-Rahma gate was completely closed and worshipers were not allowed to gain access to it.

In protest against such arbitrary measures, worshipers prayed in front of the sealed off part and conducted Quran teaching lessons, hoping to protect This part from Al-Aqsa Mosque from Israeli military control and Judaization.

On the other hand, the Israeli occupation troops circulated the area, and spread through the old city of Jerusalem.

Thursday evening on February 21, the Israeli occupation police spread through several neighborhoods in Jerusalem, and climbed over roof tops of several houses and started assaulting and insulting Palestinians.

Later on, The Israeli police arrested 60 Palestinian from the old city, to make sure that they won’t participate in prayers and protests on the next day, Friday.

During the next day, Friday, February 22, tens of Palestinian worshipers headed to Ar-Rahma gate and cleaned the area preparing for Friday prayer, at the time of the prayers, thousands of Palestinians joined the prayers on front of Ar-Rahma gate , then they gathered and opened the door that was sealed off for 16 years.

Legal feedback

International treaties and conventions related to the protection of Cultural objects and places of worship:

Geneva Fourth Conventions , Art. 27 : protected persons are entitled, in all circumstances, to respect for their persons, their honor, their family rights, their religious convictions and practices, and their manners and customs. They shall at all times be humanely treated, and shall be protected especially against all acts of violence or threats thereof and against insults and public curiosity.

 Hague convention (1907) .Art. 56. The property of municipalities, that of institutions dedicated to religion, charity and education, the arts and sciences, even when State property, shall be treated as private property. All seizure of, destruction or wilful damage done to institutions of this character, historic monuments, works of art and science, is forbidden, and should be made the subject of legal proceedings.

Geneva protocol (1977, Art 53.  it is prohibited to commit any acts of hostility directed against the historic monuments, works of art or places of worship which constitute the cultural or spiritual heritage of peoples;