Ramallah – Ma’an – Fatah’s top leadership called for a general strike throughout the nation on Friday in protest against “fierce and planned Israeli attacks” on Jerusalem holy sites.

The decision follows a week of high tension in Jerusalem after Israeli settlers backed by police were seen entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque, setting off demonstrations.

A statement from the Fatah Central Committee, the movement’s highest governing body said the strike was called in order to demonstrate Palestinians “steadfastness and determination to keep hold of our Christian and Islamic holy sites.”

The committee also called for peaceful demonstrations that would show that Jerusalem is Palestinians’ “eternal capital” and the future seat of government in an independent state.

The statement further denounced Israel’s expansion of settlements in the city as “an attempt by the Israeli right-wing government to return to a cycle of violence in order to shirk its commitments to the peace process.”

Fatah also urged Arab and Muslim states, the United Nations, and the Quartet to intervene and support Palestinians in Jerusalem.