Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque was illuminated with Israeli flag colors and Hebrew slogans during an event marking the anniversary of the 1967 occupation, according to Palestinian sources [1, 2]. The event near the mosque included blue light displays and loud music to commemorate the occasion [2].
The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs called the illumination "a blatant assault" on the mosque’s sanctity [1]. It described the mosque as a purely Islamic endowment with no rights for non-Muslims and declared Israeli measures inside the site to be "invalid and illegal" [2]. The ministry said these actions represent "a dangerous attempt to alter its historical features and impose a new Judaization reality by force of arms" [2].
The mosque, located in Hebron’s Old City, has been divided for worship since 1994, with 63% allocated to Jewish worshippers and 37% to Muslims after a deadly attack killed 29 Palestinians [2]. Israeli authorities prevented the call to prayer at the mosque 91 times in April 2026 alone, according to the ministry [2].
The Palestinian ministry urged the international community and rights groups to urgently intervene to halt "violations against Islamic holy sites" [2]. It also called on Palestinians to "maintain a constant presence" at the mosque to preserve its Islamic and Arab identity [2].
Violence in the West Bank has escalated since October 2023, with over 1,150 Palestinians killed, around 11,750 injured, and nearly 22,000 detained [2]. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal and called for the evacuation of settlements [2].
The latest condemnations came on May 20, following the lighting event. The ministry’s statements followed months of increased restrictions and incidents at the mosque and in Hebron.
The situation remains tense as Israeli restrictions and Palestinian protests continue in the area surrounding Ibrahimi Mosque [2].
