Today, Thursday, the Minister of Jerusalem Affairs , Fadi Al-Hadmi , condemned the restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on prayers in occupied Jerusalem , which affect Muslims and Christians.

In this regard, he referred to the restrictions imposed by the occupation on Saturday celebrations in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre , and prayers, including Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque .

He said, "The restrictions imposed exclusively by the occupation on the worship of Muslims and Christians in the city of Jerusalem is an affirmation of the falsehood of the Israeli propaganda about freedom of religion in the holy city, and it is also evidence of racism and discrimination."

Al-Hidmi added, "The Israeli restrictions prevented hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from reaching Jerusalem to perform prayers, whether in Al-Aqsa Mosque or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre."

He continued, "While Muslims celebrate the month of Ramadan and Christians celebrate Easter, the occupation has turned Jerusalem into a military barracks."

He pointed out that "the scenes of the barbaric attack by the occupation police on worshipers in Al-Aqsa Mosque, the restrictions on military checkpoints and the beatings at the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, will remain a witness to the falsehood of the occupation government's claims about freedom of religion."

He pointed out that the past months witnessed a remarkable escalation by extremist settlement groups and the occupation police on the holy sites in the city of Jerusalem.

Al-Hadmi said, "The attacks that have taken place and are still taking place on the holy places and the worshipers in them are another confirmation of the necessity of ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, so that the people and visitors of the city can enjoy the security and stability that has been missing since 1967."

The Minister of Jerusalem Affairs added, "In order to stop these racist practices and any expected occupational escalation against Jerusalem and its residents after the end of the Jewish holidays, we call on the international community to take immediate action before it is too late."