Israeli occupation strips Hebron municipality of administrative powers over Ibrahimi Mosque

OCCUPIED PALESTINE, July 16 (YPA) – Israeli occupation authorities have stripped the Palestinian-run Hebron municipality of administrative powers over the Ibrahimi Mosque and transferred them to a settler religious council, according to a report Tuesday by the Israel Hayom daily.

According to the newspaper, the Civil Administration has long sought to implement structural changes at the site, including roof renovations and construction over “Jacob’s Courtyard,” which serves Jewish worshippers for most of the year.

Youth Against Settlements coordinator Issa Amro described the decision as a first step toward the annexation of the Ibrahimi Mosque and the H2 area to “Israel”, and the imposition of Israeli law there.

Amro told Sanad News Agency that the decision effectively treats the Ibrahimi Mosque as an Israeli entity under the authority of the Kiryat Arba settlement, warning that Jewish religious practices would be prioritized over Muslim rights at this Islamic holy site.

According to activist Amro, the decision will lead to significant changes in the nature of visitors to the Ibrahimi Mosque, its outer courtyards, and in the scheduling of visits, the call to prayer, prayer times, as well as the spatial and temporal division of the site — all in favor of the settlers.

He predicted that the move is to test the waters for the Arab and Islamic world by starting with the annexation of the Ibrahimi Mosque and potentially paving the way for similar moves at Al-Aqsa Mosque. In his view, whatever succeeds in Hebron could be replicated in Jerusalem and at Al-Aqsa.

The newspaper added that an advanced fire suppression system will also be installed, along with other measures, including granting Israeli authorities the ability to monitor surveillance cameras inside the mosque.

Describing the move as a “historic and unprecedented change,” the newspaper said the move aims to facilitate “structural changes” at the site.

@E.Y.M