Israeli Settlers Vandalise Mosque in West Bank Amid Rising Ramadan Tensions

Israeli settlers have vandalized and set fire to a mosque located in the occupied West Bank, coinciding with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. This incident adds to a concerning trend of violence directed at Palestinians in the territory. Reports from local news agencies indicate that the Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Mosque, situated between the towns of Sarra and Tal near Nablus, was defaced with racist graffiti.

Upon arriving for morning prayers, worshippers discovered damage to the structure and remnants of a fire that enveloped the mosque entrance, leaving behind blackened marks on the ornate door. Munir Ramdan, a nearby resident, expressed his shock at the scene, detailing broken glass and a damaged door. He noted that security cameras had captured footage of two individuals approaching the mosque carrying gasoline and spray paint, who fled shortly after the attack.

The assailants reportedly spray-painted offensive messages, including derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad and the phrases “revenge” and “price tag.” The term “price tag” is commonly associated with acts of violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their properties. This attack occurs amidst a broader context of increasing violence from settlers and military personnel across the West Bank, particularly following the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023.

United Nations figures indicate that over 1,094 Palestinians have lost their lives due to actions from Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since the beginning of the hostilities in Gaza. Recent reports from the UN Human Rights Council raise alarm over Israeli policies in the area, highlighting issues such as the unlawful use of force by security forces and the demolition of Palestinian homes as part of a broader strategy to displace Palestinian communities.

The report also warns that these practices contribute to a coercive environment, potentially leading to forced displacement, which constitutes a war crime. It further alleges that the ongoing Israeli policies are aimed at altering the demographic and social fabric of the occupied West Bank, raising concerns about ethnic cleansing.

Within the village of Tal, resident Salem Ishtayeh remarked that the assault on the mosque particularly targets Palestinians observing Ramadan. He noted that the intent is to provoke a reaction through verbal attacks against their faith rather than targeting individuals directly.

The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Religious Affairs reported that last year, settlers vandalized or assaulted 45 mosques across the West Bank. In response to the latest incident, both the Israeli military and police announced they had initiated investigations to locate those responsible for the attack.

However, human rights organizations argue that Israeli authorities have turned a blind eye to settler violence, allowing such acts to occur with minimal repercussions for the assailants. Israeli organization B’Tselem has claimed that the government supports settler violence as part of its strategy to consolidate control over Palestinian areas. Additionally, the UN has previously noted that attacks by settlers often take place with the support or involvement of Israeli security forces.

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