The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) condemned, on Thursday, the occupation’s decision to ban the preacher and imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, from Al-Aqsa Mosque for a period of six months.

Hamas considered the decision to expel Sabri from Al-Aqsa an arbitrary decision and revenge against the Sheikh and his national and Islamic role in standing against the attempts to Judaize Jerusalem and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.

In a statement, the movement called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to take action against the occupation’s Judaization measures and provide means of protection for Islamic and Christian holy sites, most notably the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The deportation decision came after Sheikh Sabri was arrested on August 2, released hours later, and banned from entering Al-Aqsa for six days.