Middle East Monitor / November 29, 2021
Israeli occupation authorities yesterday released the Deputy Director-General of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Council, Sheikh Najeh Bakirat, on condition of deportation from Al-Aqsa Mosque and the occupied West Bank.
The Safa news agency reported, Bakirat saying: “I was released on oppressive conditions –banned from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque for 20 days and from entering into the occupied West Bank for 30 days.”
Eyewitnesses said on Thursday that the Israeli occupation police detained Sheikh Bakirat near Al-Aqsa Mosque. No reason was given for his detention; however he was held until yesterday under the pretext that investigations were ongoing.
He said that he was accused of being effective in his speeches regarding social, cultural and humanitarian issues.
The Israeli occupation authorities also fined Sheikh Bakirat $2,000 and was ordered to attend at the investigation centre for further questioning today.
Sheikh Bakirat has been detained and deported from Al-Aqsa Mosque on numerous occasions; he is an employee of the Jordanian Waqf which has custodianship over the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
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