Settlers burn mosque in Nablus village

[ 04/05/2010 - 09:51 AM ]

NABLUS, (PIC)-- Jewish settlers set fire to the main mosque in Luban Al-Sharqiya village, south of Nablus, at dawn Tuesday burning it completely.

Head of the Luban council Jamal Daraghmeh said in a press statement that around 3 am residents heard vehicles driving around the area of the mosque.

"But at 3:45, when the mosque's imam arrived at the site to prepare for the morning prayers, he saw the mosque on fire. The fire consumed 80%, maybe 90% of the mosque."

He said the area where the fire originated was not connected to electricity because works were underway at the site, and added that the pile of holy Qurans found in the area of the fire proves that it was deliberate arson.

According to Daraghmeh, this is not the first time the village was targeted by settlers: "In the past they also smashed windows, uprooted olive trees, damaged houses and property. At least once a week settlers come in, riot and harm the village."

The village is located near the settlements of Shilo, Ma'ale Levona, and Eli, which have confiscated 30% of the village lands.

Firefighters from Nablus extinguished the fire in the village that is 22 kilometers south of Nablus.
This is the third arson attack by settlers this year against mosques. They have earlier burnt the Yasuf and Hawara mosques also in Nablus district.

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