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Al-Habbash calls mosque arson 'war crime'
Palestinian Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs Mahmoud Al-Habbash visited the mosque set on fire allegedly by settlers early Friday morning in the northern West Bank village of Yasouf, and described the incident as a "war crime" in a statement issued on Saturday following his visit. The minister further asserted that the arsonists necessitated prosecution and punishment in international courts, he said. Al-Habbash accused the Israeli government of supporting the "terrorism of settlers who are corrupting the West Bank, burning Palestinian olive orchards, and attack Palestinian villages with the support and protection of the Israeli army," he said in a statement. The minister added that the "Yasouf village suffers of constant attacks by settlers." During his visit, Al-Habbash relayed President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority's praise for the villagers who resisted the settlers and assured them that the PA will assist in rebuilding the mosque, he said. Al-Habbash further stated that it was necessary to end Palestinian division in order to strengthen the Palestinian position in the face of Israeli intransigence and aggression, targeting Palestinian land and holy sites, he said, adding that the current state of rivalry only serves Israel. Mayor of Yasouf, Abed Ar-Rahim Musleh, welcomed the minister and thanked him for his visit where he briefed Al-Habbash on the constant harassment the villagers experience at the hands of settlers, the statement said. Posted by: Fred 2009-12-13 |
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