Today, Sunday, the Israeli occupation authorities released the Deputy Director of the Islamic Endowments Department in occupied Jerusalem, who was deported from the Holy City, Dr. Sheikh Najeh Bakirat, after 4 months of administrative detention “without charge.”

The occupation forces arrested Sheikh Najeh Bakirat after storming his place of deportation in the village of Dar Salah, east of Bethlehem, searching it and vandalizing its contents. It is worth noting that he is from the village of Sur Baher in Jerusalem, and has been deported from the occupied city of Jerusalem for 9 months.

The attack by the occupation forces on the deputy director of the Awqaf Department comes after a previous attack that included his expulsion from the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and the occupied city of Jerusalem, more than five months ago.

This came against the backdrop of his statements rejecting the settlers’ storming of the mosque and calling for continued protection of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque from settlers’ attacks and plans to seize it.

The reasons for his previous deportation decision stated that Sheikh Bakirat is a “senior activist in the Hamas movement,” that he is a “partner in security activities,” and that his presence in Jerusalem poses a threat to the security of the occupying state.

Sheikh Bakirat is considered one of the most prominent national figures and community leaders in Jerusalem, and one of the most important figures working in Jerusalem and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque for about half a century.

Sheikh Bakirat currently holds the position of Deputy Director of the Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem, and resides in the town of Sur Baher, located southeast of Jerusalem.