![Israeli President Isaac Herzog (C) after storming the Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on 28 november 2021 to mark the start of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah [Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Isaac-Herzog-to-Ibrahimi-Mosque.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The senior religious adviser to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has condemned the visit by Israel’s President Isaac Herzog to Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied Palestinian city of Hebron. Given that Herzog was accompanied by Israeli soldiers, it is being reported that he “stormed” into the mosque, much of which has been commandeered by Israel for use by illegal settlers.
“This is a clear act of aggression against Islam and Muslims here and around the world,” said Mahmoud Habbash. “It is a black day for the Israeli occupation and its barbaric racism, which proves that the country is run by those with an imperialist mentality across the political spectrum.”
All Israelis believe in the occupation, colonisation and brutal aggression against the Palestinians, he added. “Herzog is following in the footsteps of [former Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon as he is igniting a fire that will not be extinguished.”
The PA official stressed that Ibrahimi Mosque has the same sacred status as Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque. Along with all Palestinian holy and historic sites, they have the same sanctity and are “solely for the use of the Palestinians.”
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