Palestinian Fatwa Council condemns burning of mosques in the West Bank

The Palestinian Higher Fatwa Council on Sunday condemned the burning of two mosques in the occupied West Bank, describing the incidents as part of what it called a systematic Israeli policy targeting religious sites.

In a statement, the council said the burning of Al-Rahma Mosque in the town of Qusra, south of Nablus, and another mosque in the village of Kur, south of Tulkarm, along with the painting of racist and inciting slogans on their walls, constituted “a new crime” against places of worship.

The council said the incidents were not isolated, explaining that Israeli settlers have repeatedly attacked and desecrated religious sites. It also referred to ongoing restrictions on access to Al-Aqsa Mosque and repeated visits by Israeli groups to the compound.

The statement warned that continued attacks on religious sites could further increase tensions in the region.

READ: Israeli occupiers set fire to 2 mosques in occupied West Bank

According to Palestinian sources, a series of attacks by Israeli settlers took place across the occupied West Bank on Sunday. These reportedly included the burning of the two mosques, the torching of a house in Beit Furik, east of Nablus, the burning of a stone-cutting factory in the Ramallah area, and damage to a water network in Bethlehem.

The council also referred to previous incidents, including the burning of two mosques in the villages of Jaljulia and Mazra’a al-Nubani, north of Ramallah, on 17th June, and an attack on Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque in Nablus on 23rd February, during which racist slogans were also reportedly painted on the walls.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments, Israeli settlers attacked 45 mosques in the West Bank during 2025. The ministry explained that many of these incidents occurred under the protection of the Israeli military.

The occupied West Bank has experienced heightened violence since the start of Israel’s genocide in the Gaza in October 2023, with frequent clashes, Israeli military operations, and attacks by settlers and Palestinians. According to Palestinian officials, more than 1,182 Palestinians have been killed, around 13,000 injured, and approximately 24,000 arrested in the West Bank during that period.

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