°®Âþµº

Skip to main content

Mosque near Ramallah torched in latest anti-Palestinian attack

Palestinian mosque near Ramallah torched in latest 'price tag' attack
MENA
2 min read
27 July, 2020
The Al-Bireh mosque was daubed in anti-Palestinian graffiti and set on fire overnight in a suspected 'price tag' attack by extremist Israeli settlers.
Palestinian officials have declared Israel "responsible" for the arson attack [Getty]

A mosque near the city of Ramallah was set on fire overnight in an apparent extremist , local media reported.

The in Al-Bireh was also daubed with graffiti declaring "this land is for the Jews" and "siege to the Arabs", according to Palestinian news agency Wafa.

On Monday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh slammed the blaze as a "racist attack" by suspected Israeli settlers.

"We hold the occupation authority [Israel] fully responsible for it and for the unruly acts and growing violence of the settlers," Shtayyeh said.

Economic Minister Amir Peretz called for the "hatemongers" behind the attack to be "brought to justice".

Arson and vandalism on Palestinian properties by extremist Israeli are commonly referred to as "" attacks, a euphemism for fundamentalist hate crimes, but arrests of suspects are rare.

Although top Israeli officials and even settler leaders have disavowed such attacks, calling them "immoral", the Palestinian Authority considers Israel - which occupies the West Bank and handles security - ultimately responsible for the rampant hate crimes.

Israel has also green lighted the continued expansion and spread of settler communities in the occupies West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law.

Israeli NGO B'tselem last year that so-called "price tag" attacks were a "reflection of Israel's policy in the West Bank, which leaves Palestinian homes, fields, vehicles and belongings unprotected and constantly vulnerable to attacks by settlers".

Follow us on ,  and  to stay connected