The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has stated that the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, located in the southern West Bank, is a "pure Islamic endowment property," pointing out Israeli plans to convert it into a Jewish synagogue.
اضافة اعلان
This came in a "statement and clarification" issued by the ministry after news spread about "the withdrawal of the Ministry of Awqaf’s authority and its transfer to the Israeli occupation to carry out work on the ceiling of the Ibrahimi Mosque courtyard," as stated in the release.
The ministry neither confirmed nor denied the news, but Palestinian media outlets reported that "the Israeli occupation authorities notified the administration of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied city of Hebron, through the Palestinian Civil Liaison, about transferring all work-related authorities concerning the ceiling of the mosque courtyard from the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf to the Israeli occupation."
In its statement, the ministry emphasized that "the Ibrahimi Mosque is a pure Islamic endowment property, and no one, regardless of their power, has the right to tamper with it, alter its features, or attempt in any way to erase its religious identity and Judaize any part of it."
It added that "the occupation, while carrying out its daily violations and attacks, disregards all international laws and conventions that listed the mosque as a cultural heritage site in 2017."
The ministry further stated that "no one, regardless of their power, has the right to tamper with it, alter its features, or attempt in any way to erase its religious identity and Judaize any part of it."
The Ministry of Awqaf emphasized its "sovereignty over the Ibrahimi Mosque" and stated that "any attempt to change this religious and historical landmark constitutes a violation and an attack on this sovereignty and legal, religious, and political authority over an Islamic sacred site, and on an important and sensitive heritage landmark that affects all Muslims."
The ministry continued, "We are aware of the occupation's plans concerning the Ibrahimi Mosque, whether through its daily violations, the desecration of its sanctity, or its systematic approach to asserting control over it and transforming it into a purely Jewish synagogue where Talmudic teachings are practiced."
It also pointed out, "In this context, the occupation’s attempt to work on the mosque’s ceiling, which it attempted to carry out several months ago, was thwarted by the people of Hebron and its official and civil institutions, which stood behind the Palestinian government in defending the mosque, forcing the occupation to retract these attempts."
The ministry reaffirmed its stance, "based on its sovereignty and absolute authority in overseeing the Ibrahimi Mosque and protecting it from attacks," and firmly rejected all practices of the occupation in all their forms.
The ministry called on "the Palestinian people in general, and the people of Hebron in particular, to protect the mosque and remain steadfast in it."
On July 12, 2024, the governor of Hebron, Khaled Duwayn, announced the removal of a roof built by Israeli authorities on the courtyard of the Ibrahimi Mosque.
In a statement at the time, which was sent to Anadolu Agency, he said, "The violations, through which the occupation authorities sought to alter the features of the Ibrahimi Mosque by constructing a metal and cement roof over the courtyard, have been removed."
Previously, the director of Awqaf in Hebron, Ghassan Rajbi, told Anadolu Agency that "Israeli occupation forces had constructed a roof over the mosque’s courtyard using tin sheets." He condemned the Israeli move, describing it as a "serious violation."
The Ibrahimi Mosque is located in the old city of Hebron, which is under Israeli control, and is home to about 400 settlers, guarded by approximately 1,500 Israeli soldiers.
In 1994, Israel divided the mosque, allocating 63% for Jews and 37% for Muslims, following a massacre committed by a settler that resulted in the martyrdom of 29 worshipers. The Jewish part of the mosque includes the prayer room.
Since the beginning of the genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023, the Israeli army and settlers have escalated their attacks in the West Bank, resulting in at least 924 Palestinian martyrs, nearly 7,000 injuries, and 14,500 arrests as of Tuesday, according to official Palestinian data.
With U.S. support, Israel committed genocide in Gaza between October 7, 2023, and January 19, 2025, leaving more than 160,000 Palestinian martyrs and wounded, most of them children and women, and over 14,000 missing.
