The Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) vigorously condemns the Israeli attack on the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem on April 15.

Israeli occupation forces violently attacked worshippers in the mosque compound during morning prayers when thousands of people were in attendance. More than 150 people were injured and at least 400 were detained. The occupation forces opened fire with tear gas and stun grenades and were met with resistance by Palestinian youth who threw rocks.

Worshippers barricaded themselves inside the mosque. Medics reported that Israel hindered the arrival of ambulances and paramedics to the mosque while dozens of injured worshippers remained trapped inside.

Since the attacks, demonstrations have taken place in Gaza and in the West Bank and Palestinian youth have vowed to defend the mosque.

The attack on the mosque comes during Ramadan and after a series of Israeli attacks in which at least 25 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied west bank, including five youth killed in a 24-hour period on April 14. On April 15, a 17-year old youth died from injuries inflicted by Israeli forces in Jenin the previous day.

This year Ramadan, Passover and Easter coincide, which is not usually the case, with thousands of Muslims, Jews and Christians visiting the holy site in Jerusalem. There has never been a problem between people of different faiths attending religious services there. It is the Israeli government’s determination to crush the Palestinian resistance that gives rise to provocations and violence against the Palestinian people.

Early in April a far-right member of the Israeli parliament of the Otzma Yehudit Party, Itamar Ben-Gvir, forced his way into the courtyard of the mosque, with police protection, to “tour” the complex ahead of Ramadan. That was followed by threats from far-right Israeli nationalists to raid the mosque during Ramadan, raising concerns of further state-organized violence against Palestinians.

CPC(M-L) urges everyone to go all out to support the heroic Palestinian people, to denounce this latest Israeli crime, and to demand the Canadian government stop refusing to take a stand against the ongoing crimes of the occupier in the name of upholding Israel’s so-called right to self-defence.

Protest in Gaza, April 15, 2022, against attack on Al Aqsa Mosque.

(Photos: Wafa News Agency, Active Stills)

TML Daily, posted April 16, 2022.