Islamic Relief Condemns Escalation of Violence in East Jerusalem

Islamic Relief is appalled at the latest escalation of violence and attacks on Palestinians in East Jerusalem, which is spiralling into the worst violence there for several years.

This morning Israeli forces stormed the Haram al-Sharif compound, injuring many worshippers praying at the Al Aqsa Mosque. Hundreds of Palestinians have been wounded in the past few days.

“We are horrified at reports that soldiers have fired rubber bullets and tear gas at worshippers praying at Al Aqsa, the third holiest site in Islam, during the holy month of Ramadan. The right of people to worship freely and in safety must be upheld for all, regardless of faith. “Children are among the hundreds who have been wounded in recent days and many have been rushed to hospital. “We condemn all use of indiscriminate violence against civilians. We also condemn the attempts to forcibly evict Palestinian families from their homes in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah and replace them with Israeli settlements. We call on the Israeli government to immediately cease such evictions, which the UN has warned are against international law, and we call upon the UN and other influential players to facilitate appropriate humanitarian assistance for all those affected by the recent violence.”

Thousands of Palestinians in East Jerusalem face the constant threat of evictions or having their homes demolished, or losing their residency status in the city. In the first quarter of 2021, Israeli authorities demolished 292 Palestinian-owned structures in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem – more than double the rate in 2020. At the same time Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem continue to expand.

The Israeli occupation has systematically cut East Jerusalem off from the rest of the West Bank, violating human rights and entrenching poverty. Palestinians face severe restrictions on their movement, cutting them off from essential services, loved ones, religious sites, markets and livelihoods. As a result of the occupation, East Jerusalem suffers from high rates of poverty.

Islamic Relief staff in Gaza report that the situation in Gaza is also increasingly on edge as tensions rise across the Occupied Palestinian Territory over the past few days. Islamic Relief calls for an end to violence on both sides and for the blockade of Gaza to be brought to an end.

Islamic Relief has worked in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 1997. Last year our programmes in Gaza helped nearly 400,000 people with essential medical care, access to education and skills training for unemployed youth.

Find out more about our work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory