Israeli occupation forces, and the so called nature authority, demolished yesterday Sunday 21/9/2014, 20 tombs of Palestinian families in Yousufeya cemetery in Jerusalem, that is located in the area of Lions’ gate right next to the eastern wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque, claiming that the tombs were built on confiscated land.
Mustafa Abu Zahra, head of Islamic cemetery welfare committee in Jerusalem, strongly condemned the Israeli Occupation’s demolition actions, saying that the Martyrs cemetery was an extension of the Yousufeya cemetery in Lions’ gate, and that it purely counts as an Islamic property.
Abu Zahra added that the cemetery is a historical site where hundreds of Palestinian martyrs were buried, and where a monument was set.  He added that the demolished tombs were build several months ago, but were still unused.
Abu Zahra refuted the Israeli and nature authority claims, saying that this land is a Palestinian property  and does not need any licensing.