Israeli Army Closes Ibrahimi Mosque because it is Used by Jews to Celebrate Easter

TEL AVIV – The Ibrahimi Mosque, considered one of Islam’s holiest sites, was closed to Muslim worshipers wishing to worship. The reason is, troops Israel preparing the mosque for Jewish settlers celebrating Easter.

“Israeli forces have increased restrictions and closed checkpoints leading to the religious site, known to Israeli Jews as the Tomb of the Patriarchs,” Wafa news agency reported.

Access to religious complexes is a particularly important issue in occupied Hebron, where some 700 Jewish settlers live. Israeli forces close it to Muslims for about 10 days each year coinciding with Jewish holidays.

Last year, Israeli troops also carried out a similar action when they closed the Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslims in the West Bank city of Hebron because it was commemorating a Jewish holiday.

Meanwhile, Jewish Passover is considered one of the most important holidays for Israeli citizens.

Every year, Jewish families celebrate the festival by gathering around the Seder table and telling how Moses led the Jewish people out of Egypt after years of slavery.

This year’s Passover comes at a difficult time for the Jewish people, with conflict still raging in Gaza and worrying reports of rising antisemitism in many countries.

However, the same context promises that it will play a more important role in uniting families and communities.

(ahm)