2011 Al-Nurayn Mosque attack
{{Short description|Arson attack in Qusra, Palestine}}
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{{Infobox religious building
| name = Al-Nurayn Mosque
| native_name = مسجد النورين
| native_name_lang = ar
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| coordinates = {{coord|32|5|0|N|35|19|40|E}}
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| religious_affiliation = Sunni Islam
| locale =
| location = Qusra, West Bank, Palestine
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Al-Nurayn Mosque ({{langx|ar|مسجد النورين}}) is a modern mosque in Qusra, West Bank, Palestine. It gained attention in September 2011 when it became the target of an arson attack allegedly perpetrated by militant Jewish settlers.
Arson attack
{{Infobox terrorist attack
|title=2011 al-Nurayn mosque attack
|image="Mo is a pig" sttler graffitti in Qusra, Palestine.JPG
|caption=Hebrew text on the wall of the Qusra mosque, after "price-tag" attack by settlers, in September 2011
|map=
|target=Al Nurayn Mosque
|date=5 September 2011
3:00 am (GMT+2)
|coordinates=
|time-begin=
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|type=Arson attack, vandalism
|fatalities=0
|injuries=0
|perps=Jewish settlers (allegedly)
}}
The mosque was significantly damaged in an overnight arson attack on 5 September 2011, which took place at approximately 3:00 am local time (GMT+2).{{Cite news|author =Staff writers|title=EU's Ashton: Settler attack on West Bank mosque undermines Mideast peace|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/eu-s-ashton-settler-attack-on-west-bank-mosque-undermines-mideast-peace-1.382868|date=6 September 2011|newspaper=Haaretz|accessdate=6 September 2011}} Two burning tyres were thrown through broken windows on the ground floor;{{Cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse|title=West Bank mosque torched as police dismantle outpost|url=http://www.dawn.com/2011/09/05/west-bank-mosque-torched-as-police-dismantle-outpost.html|date=6 September 2011|newspaper=Dawn.com|accessdate=6 September 2011}} the fire and vandalism were discovered by worshippers arriving for prayers later in the morning.{{Cite news|author =Weiss, Mark|title=West Bank mosque torched in settler attack|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/0906/1224303592343.html|date=6 September 2011|newspaper=Irish Times|accessdate=6 September 2011}} Words in Hebrew had been graffitied on the walls, and included hateful incites against Muhammad and threats of further attacks.{{Cite news|author =Staff writers|title=Fire and graffiti attack on Palestinian mosque in Kasra|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14786172|date=5 September 2011|newspaper=BBC News|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=6 September 2011}} A star of David had been graffitied alongside the name of Migron, an unauthorised Jewish settlement about {{convert|25|km|mi}} to the south where Israeli police had dismantled three structures the previous day.
The attack is believed to have been perpetrated by militant Jewish settlers in retaliation for the demolitions in Migron.{{Cite news|author =Sherwood, Harriet|title=West Bank mosque damaged by settlers in revenge attack|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/sep/05/revenge-attack-settlements-west-bank|date=5 September 2011|newspaper=The Guardian|accessdate=6 September 2011}} These had been ordered by Israel's supreme court in August in response to a pleading from Peace Now on the grounds that they were built on privately owned land. Newspapers, as well as Rabbis for Human Rights, reported that the attack on the mosque was apparently part of the notorious "price tag policy" of certain factions amongst settlers.{{Cite news|author =Staff writers|title=Settlers Vandalize, Set Fire to Mosque in Kasra|url=http://www.vosizneias.com/90686/2011/09/05/west-bank-settlers-vandalize-set-fire-to-mosque-in-kasra/|date=5 September 2011|newspaper=Voz Iz Neias|accessdate=6 November 2011}} Palestinian security authorities claimed this to be the sixth mosque in two years attacked by settlers in the West Bank.{{Cite news|author=Staff writers |title=Outpost homes razed, mosque attacked allegedly in retribution |url=http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/09/05/3089231/outpost-homes-razed-mosque-attacked-in-alleged-retribution |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904114254/http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/09/05/3089231/outpost-homes-razed-mosque-attacked-in-alleged-retribution |url-status=dead|archive-date=4 September 2012 |date=5 September 2011 |publisher=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |accessdate=6 September 2011 }} Israeli police began an investigation into the incident the following day.{{Cite news|author1=Lappin, Yaakov |author2=Lazar, Tovah |title=Hamas decries any peace talks after mosque attack|url=http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=236769|date=5 September 2011|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|accessdate=6 September 2011}} According to the United Nations, it is one of more than 250 incidents involving settlers in 2011 in which Palestinians were injured or their property was damaged.
The Palestinian National Authority condemned the attack, pointing out that this was just one of several incidents of violent crime perpetrated by settlers in the West Bank. Prime Minister Fayyad argued that such attacks incite a cycle of violence and labelled it an act of terrorism. He was critical of the Israeli police and called on the Middle East Quartet to investigate the matter instead. The European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton released a statement saying, "Attacks against places of worship undermine the freedom of religion or belief which is a fundamental human right." She argued that incitements such as this were undermining the peace process by fostering distrust between the parties involved. The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, also condemned the attack, holding Israel fully responsible. He asked that human rights organisations work to prevent further acts of violence against Palestinians.{{Cite news|author =Staff writers|title=OIC Secretary General condemns setting fire to a mosque in the West Bank |url=http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/471085|date=6 September 2011|publisher=Bahrain News Agency|accessdate=6 September 2011}}
See also
References
{{reflist|2}}
{{commons category}}
{{Mosques in Palestine}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nurayn Mosque attack, 2011}}
Category:Mosques in the West Bank
Category:Terrorist incidents in the West Bank in 2011
Category:Israeli settler violence
Category:Attacks on mosques in Palestine
Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2011