Arab League head blasts Israel for Gaza, Jerusalem violence

The Arab League head has condemned Israeli attacks against the Palestinians, as operations in Gaza continue for a second day.
1 min read
11 May, 2021
Smoke billows from Gaza after Israeli airstrikes [Getty]

The Arab League head slammed Israel over its continued assaults on Palestinians, describing it as a "miserable show of force at the expense of children's blood".

"These irresponsible attacks are motivated by tendencies of revenge and domestic political issues," said Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, ahead of a virtual league meeting on Tuesday which will discuss the recent events in Jerusalem and Gaza.

At least 20 people were killed, including nine children in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip on Monday.

The escalation in violence comes after weeks of protests in Jerusalem against forced Israeli evictions of Palestinian residents in the Sheikh-Jarrah neighbourhood, as well as attacks on worshippers at Al-Aqsa mosque.

Aboul Gheit held Israel responsible for the escalation in tensions, stressing that the violations in Jerusalem - as well as the government's tolerance of Jewish extremism - had led to the recent flare-up in violence.

He lambasted Israeli attacks on Al-Aqsa mosque, considered the third holiest site in Islam.

He said such actions were especially provocative for Muslims given that the Eid al-Fitr celebration is approaching.

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