Jerusalem’s African Descent Community Calls for End to Police Harassment
The Israel police were requested for comments but has not yet offered a response
Jerusalem – Palestinians of African descent who live near Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque have told the BBC they are being harassed by Israeli police following Saturday’s deadly assault by Hamas militants on Israeli communities around the Gaza Strip.
Mousa Qous, head of the African Community Society in Jerusalem, said he knew of Afro-Palestinians who had been beaten and humiliated and a 13-year-old who was arrested for several hours.
Mr Qous told the BBC this week that few people from his community are going out as they fear harassment and arrest.
“My nephew went out today to buy some stuff from the shop, but Israeli police stopped him to search. When they searched him in a humiliating way and he protested, they beat him,” he said.
“We live just opposite the entrance of al-Aqsa Mosque, Israel police stopped us from getting into the mosque for prayer and we are subjected to harassment and abuse.”
The Palestinians of African descent predominately come from Chad, Nigeria, Senegal and Sudan and have been living in Jerusalem for centuries.