CAMPAIGNERS have condemned Israeli forces for launching a raid on the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, which left more than 150 Palestinian worshippers injured. 

Israeli police stormed the site – the third holiest in Islam – in a dawn raid on Friday when thousands of worshippers were present to observe the holy month of Ramadan. 

The Palestinian Red Crescent said staff working at the al-Aqsa compound were among 152 Palestinians injured and that Israeli forces had hindered the arrival of ambulances and paramedics.

Hundreds of Palestinians have also been arrested. 

Israeli authorities said they entered the compound to break up a “violent” crowd, but reporters on the scene said forces stormed the site unprovoked.

The attack on unarmed worshippers follows an escalation in violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians. 

Five Palestinians, including one child, were killed within a 24-hour period last week in a series of raids on West Bank towns and cities by Israeli forces, prompted by an attack on Israelis by Palestinians in Tel Aviv. 

Palestine Solidarity Campaign director Ben Jamal called for the British government to hold Israel to account over the raid and recent escalation in violence against Palestinians. 

“Whilst political leaders have both condemned Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and implemented sanctions, they have ignored Israel’s recent actions, and consistently failed to take the actions necessary to hold it to account. 

“Rather, the government continues to provide complicit financial, military and diplomatic support to Israel including via the approval of over £400 million of military technology and arms exports between 2015 and 2020. 

“The government must be consistent in condemning violations of international law and holding perpetrators to account. At a minimum it must end its two-way arms trade with Israel.”

Friends of Al-Aqsa Chair Ismail Patel said: “Israel’s bombing of Gaza last night follows weeks of intensified violence against Palestinians, including four attacks on the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in just five days.

“This violence represents the sheer brutality of Israel’s illegal occupation and apartheid in Palestine, which has continued for 74 years now. We call on our politicians to impose immediate sanctions on Israel. We must all speak up and take action for Palestine.”