Israeli occupation forces banished the Palestinian deputy director of Muslim Endowments and Al-Aqsa Affairs Najih Bakirat from Al-Aqsa Mosque on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.

Earlier Wednesday, Israeli occupation forces banished Najih Bakirat, banning him from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque for 6 extra months. This came after renewing the previous banishment order.

Israeli occupation authorities banished Bakirat from Al-Aqsa 30 times for periods ranging from one week to six months since 2003.

It is worth mentioning that the Israeli forces held Najih Bakirat’s son Malek for 19 years in prison.

Israeli forces have detained Sheikh Bakirat about 34 times since 1981. In addition, the Israeli occupation denied him travel several times.

Earlier in September 2022, Israeli occupation authorities banished him from Al-Aqsa for six months after interrogating him Al-Qeshleh center.

He said that his expulsion comes in the context of decades-old Israeli persecutions against Palestinians in Jerusalem, affirming his rejection of the unjust measures practiced by the occupation to restrict the Palestinians.

The Palestinian Scholars Association condemned Israel’s banishment of Bakirat which came in the context of the unjustified ongoing violations against Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem.

The Association renewed calls for protecting and defending the Palestinian people and the scholars in occupied Jerusalem.