RAMALLAH, July 18, 2017 (WAFA) – Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah said on Tuesday that Israel, as the occupying power, is responsible for the current escalation in Jerusalem and its Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites.

He warned in his opening remarks at the weekly cabinet meeting in Ramallah of the grave consequences of Israel’s recent measures at Al-Aqsa Mosque, starting with its closure for the Friday prayer, banning the call for prayer from its mosques, police desecration of the mosques, assaulting staff and latest the installation of metal detectors at the entrances to the holy compound.

“The entire world should know that Israel, as the occupying power, does not have any lawful authority over Jerusalem and its Muslim and Christian holy places,” said the prime minister,“ stressing that all Israeli alterations on the character and status of occupied Jerusalem are null and void.

Hamdallah called upon the international community and the Arab and Muslim countries to “shoulder their responsibilities and put a stop to Israeli violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque and to provide international protection for our people and holy places.”

M.N./M.K.