Israeli Forces Ban Call to Prayer, Expel Worshippers from Bethlehem Mosque

Israeli occupation forces banned the call to prayer and dawn congregational prayers at a mosque in the village of Husan, west of Bethlehem, in the early hours of Saturday. Security sources told the WAFA news agency that the troops forced worshippers to leave the mosque. WAFA reported that Israeli forces stormed the mosque and expelled the congregation before firing stun grenades and tear gas at them. The forces also closed all gates and entrances leading to the village of Al Arqoub, southwest of Bethlehem. Additionally, a resident of Nahalin was assaulted while crossing the main gate separating Bethlehem from other areas in the province. The incident occurred after the Israeli Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved a bill introducing new restrictions on the use of loudspeakers for the call to prayer at mosques.