Egypt condemned the burning of a mosque and a Greek Orthodox Church in the occupied territories of Jerusalem in a foreign ministry statement Friday.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Badr Abdelatty called on the international community for urgent action to provide protection for religious sanctuaries in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The mosque, located in Bethlehem in the West Bank, was set on fire Wednesday by Israeli settlers in the area, who also left “racist slogans” on the walls of the mosque. The incident was followed by another on Thursday, this time on a Greek Orthodox Church building in Jerusalem. As with the previous attack, the attackers also left “racist slogans” as well on the walls, according to Palestinian news agency WAFA.
Local Palestinian media outlets said the attacks were carried out by a group of Israeli settlers targeting Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem in so-called ‘price-tag’ attacks.
The group has been launching attacks mostly against Muslim and Christian Palestinians, targeting mainly holy sites and Palestinian properties.
In official statements, the Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the attack, as well noting that the attacks come in an Israeli attempt to “incite sectarian strife”.
The Palestinian foreign ministry held the Israeli government accountable for “racist and fascist attacks” and called on the International community to investigate those crimes and take the procedures bring the “racists” in front of international courts.
During his visit to China on Saturday, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told of his concern to the Chinese Vice President about the policies and procedures by the Israeli occupation on Palestinian territories. He said it seeks “the Judaisation of Jerusalem” and to “obliterate the Arab and Islamic landmarks” through the continuation of the settlement activity on Palestinian territories
