Israel's Brutal Attack At The Al-Aqsa Palestinian Mosque Must Be Criticized Internationally

JAKARTA - The brutal attack by Israeli police on the Al-Aqsa Mosque congregation who was performing the night prayers and Ramadan itikaf on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 yesterday, must be condemned by the international community.

At least 400 Palestinians were arrested and detained by Israeli police in Atarot, East Jerusalem.

Such brutal action has not only damaged the status quo and raised the tension of conflict, but could damage regional stability.

No wonder the Arab League immediately held an emergency meeting after that because the attack had a serious impact on the region.

"I myself call the brutal act Israel's deliberate barbaric routine every month of Ramadan. Last year's Ramadan, for example, Israel also attacked Al-Aqsa and injured at least 158 Palestinians," said Chairman of the House of Representatives Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency Fadli Zon in his statement, Thursday 6 April.

He said, previously, in Ramadan 2021, Israel also carried out the same action. In fact, the impact was among the bloodiest, as it had triggered an Israeli attack on Gaza that killed at least 256 people, including 66 children, and injured more than 1,900 people.

"So, I see that Israel's brutal attack on the congregation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque every Ramadan was intentional. Israel wants to undermine the sacredness of Al-Aqsa and the holy month of Ramadan which is very sacred for Muslims. So, such actions are not enough to be strongly condemned. Israel should be dealt with strongly and sanctioned by the world," he explained.

Fadli assessed that the repeated actions of every Ramadan also show that the UN Security Council does not learn from previous incidents. In fact, the UN should be alert and anticipatory. If needed, the Security Council can even deploy peacekeepers at Al-Aqsa every month of Ramadan.

This repeated attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a form of pre-text to carry out the Yahudization' of the historic Muslim mosque.

"I saw Israel wanting to destroy Al-Aqsa and replace it with a Temple Mount. This has happened to the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, where half of the mosque has been converted into Sinagag since 1967," explained Fadli who is also Deputy Chair of the Gerindra Party DPP.

Now, Israel's right-wing movement wants to destroy Islamic identity in the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex and build a Jewish temple within it. This action can be very dangerous.

For the Palestinian people, Al-Aqsa is one of the few national symbols that still remain. Meanwhile, for Muslims around the world, Al-Aqsa is the first goal. Thus, any attempt to damage the disgrace of Al-Aqsa will surely receive a response from Muslims around the world.

"So, Israel's brutal action, which has opened fire on Al-Aqsa worshipers with stun grenades, rubber bullets, and tear gas, must be strongly condemned. The world should also immediately impose sanctions on Israel," said Fadli Zon.