OPINION: US Response to Attacks on Al-Aqsa Compound is Unacceptable

The Dome of the Rock shrine in Jerusalem, located in the Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound in Jerusalem (Wikimedia Commons).

On April 15, Israeli police stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, injuring at least 59 Palestinians in their initial attacks. Since that day, the number of wounded Palestinians has risen to over 170, and at least five individuals have been hospitalized. Dozens more have had their livelihoods impacted by continuing violence around Al-Aqsa. 

The holy site, said to be the spot where Muhammad was transported during his divinely-ordained Night Journey, has become the epicenter of Israeli-Palestinian unrest, with the recent attacks occurring amidst the rare overlap of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover festival. The fighting has already inspired a number of international actors to call for cooperation and reduced tensions.

However, the United States did not directly condemn Israel for its actions: Instead, Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her “unwavering…support for Israel’s security” and right to self-defense,” with no mention of the violence against Palestinians. 

Israeli forces say the attack was prompted after a group of Palestinians gathered stones in anticipation of violence from the arrival of Jewish visitors, who are not allowed to pray in the mosque. According to Israeli national security minister Omer Barlev, the police attacks were carried out to “act strongly against anyone who… [uses] terrorism against Israeli citizens.” Yet Israeli police officers raided the compound with tear gas shells and rubber-coated bullets and blockaded Muslim worshippers in prayer halls, constituting a blatant attack on Palestinians’ holy places and religious rights. 

Via billions of dollars of arms sales, the US has directly contributed to the Israeli military’s violence against Palestinians for almost a century, and its unwillingness to hold Israel accountable has only helped prolong the occupation of Palestine. 

The Vice President’s statement is thus evidence of US complicity in attacks against Palestinians. Its continued support of Israeli forces will only prolong suffering in the region and continue to raise questions regarding the sanctity of holy places and religious freedom.

Salmah Elmasry is the co-editor for the Middle East and Central Asia section at The Caravel. The views expressed in this article belong solely to the author.