Al-Azhar condemns mosque arson in West Bank, calls attack ‘terrorist crime’

Al-Azhar has issued a strongly worded condemnation following the burning of a mosque in the occupied West Bank, describing the incident as a “terrorist crime” carried out by Israeli settlers during the holy month of Ramadan.

In an official statement, the influential Islamic institution denounced the attack on the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque in the village of Tell, southwest of Nablus, saying it represented “an embodiment of Zionist terrorism targeting people, holy sites and land simultaneously”.

Al-Azhar said the incident constituted a grave violation of international laws and conventions and demonstrated a disregard for the sanctity of places of worship. The statement added that attacks on religious sites reflect escalating crimes against Palestinians and their sacred spaces.

The institution linked the incident to broader violence in the region, stating that the burning of mosques and attacks on religious institutions occur alongside ongoing violence against civilians in Gaza, which it said continues amid international silence and a failure to halt violations.

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Al-Azhar warned that continued attacks without accountability could further inflame tensions, calling on the international community to fulfil its legal and moral responsibilities by protecting Palestinian civilians and religious sites, stopping violations and ensuring those responsible are held accountable.

According to Palestinian authorities, settlers set fire to parts of the mosque and sprayed racist graffiti on its walls, including slogans such as “Price Tag” and “Revenge”. The incident was reportedly captured by surveillance cameras and confirmed by the Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments.

The attack comes amid a broader escalation of settler violence across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Data cited from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicates that 2025 recorded more than 1,800 settler attacks affecting roughly 280 Palestinian communities, particularly in the Ramallah, Nablus and Hebron areas.

These incidents resulted in injuries to more than 830 Palestinians and the killing of nine people during the year, according to UN figures. In early 2026 alone, dozens of additional attacks were documented, causing injuries, property damage and the displacement of families.

UN data also showed that 694 Palestinians were displaced in January 2026 due to settler violence and access restrictions — exceeding the total number displaced throughout 2024.

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