The ministry said in a press statement that the "occupation authorities prevented Palestinian laborers hired by the ministry from renovating some parts inside the mosque and its external wall." It added that the Israeli move is an "assault on the PA's religious and national duties."
According to the ministry, Al-Ibrahimi Mosque is the fourth holiest mosque in Islam in terms of religious importance and prestige.
The Israeli government early in March decided to cover Al-Ibrahimi Mosque and Bilal bin Rabah Mosque (Rachel's Tomb) in Bethlehem in heritage sites renovation plan. The decision sparked criticism across the Arab world, and was even slammed by the United States.
The ministry said that the Israeli decision against the mosque "is illegal and contradicts the international laws and treaties." According to Oslo Agreement signed between Israel and PLO in 1995, the Islamic Waqf controls 81 percent of the site. However, the Israeli forces control the entrance to the mosque and regularly prohibit Muslims from entering the area.
For his part, the Palestinian Supreme Judge Sheikh Taysir Al-Tamimi, accused the Israeli authorities of attempting to gradually seize control of the Ibrahimi Mosque and transform it into a "Jewish synagogue."
Tamimi said the Israeli authorities divided the Mosque by force to protect "Jewish aggressors and settlers." He also said that the use of electronic gates at the mosque's entrance hinders prayer calls and worshippers.
Tamimi appealed to the UNESCO to intervene immediately and exert pressure on the Israeli government to end what he described as "crimes against the Ibrahimi Mosque."
Meanwhile, Israeli occupiers uprooted 250 olive trees in the West Bank village of Karyout, to the south of Nablus. Daghlas added that the Palestinian farmers planted the saplings last month.
