Cairo, Sept 21 (Petra) -- The Arab League on Monday strongly condemned a raid by an Israeli government minister and settlers into Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of occupation forces.

The league reiterated its rejection of the violation of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Islamic holy sites, or any alteration to their historical and legal status, stressing respect for the Hashemite custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

The statement also denounced continued raids in Palestinian cities and towns, including arrests, searches, home demolitions as well as attacks in the town of Biddu, northwest of Jerusalem, calling these "a dangerous escalation and a violation of international law and international humanitarian law." The Arab organization also condemned the closure of Hebron's Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslim worshippers and a ban on the call to prayer there, reaffirming its rejection of any measures that infringe on freedom of worship or aim to alter the status of holy sites.

It called on the international community, particularly the U.N. Security Council, to shoulder its responsibility to halt these violations and provide protection for the Palestinian people and places of worship.

//Petra// NQ