Palestinians and Israeli security forces clashed again at Al Aqsa Mosque compound yesterday, ratcheting up tension. And more trouble is feared in the week ahead as Jews celebrate the Sukkot holidays.
Israel is trying to consolidate its control over Jerusalem after confiscating Palestinian land. Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest mosque in Islam, is a sensitive issue to Muslims all over the world and any attempt to violate its sanctity and take control of it will meet with stiff resistance. Israel knows this fact, and the latest incursions into the mosque are part of a sinister plan.
After the brief clashes on the last day of the Eid Al Adha holiday, Palestinian protesters prepared “to defend” the mosque during the eight-day Jewish festival. The Sukkot holiday which started at sunset is expected to lead to an increase in Jewish visitors to the Al Aqsa compound.
Muslims have been alarmed by an increase in visits by Jews and fear rules governing the compound will be changed. Visits by Jews were stopped yesterday and age restrictions on Muslim men entering the compound were lifted for the Muslim holiday. But a ban on under-50s was re-imposed as Sukkot started. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said repeatedly he is committed to maintaining the status quo at the site, but Palestinians are skeptical.
“Al Aqsa is a holy place, but it is also a national symbol for Palestinians and all Arabs,” said Sheikh Kamal Khabit, deputy head of the Islamic Movement. “Jewish extremists want to destroy Al Aqsa to build a third temple.” The radical northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel and the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee, which represents Arab communities in Israel, had urged Muslims to go to the compound to defend it yesterday.
Israel must respect the faith of Muslims and refrain from provocative actions at the holy site. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has already warned Israel of another Intifada over the intensification of clashes in al Aqsa. Abbas made the remarks after a meeting with French leader Francois Hollande in the French capital on Tuesday. Abbas had previously condemned the incursions by Israeli forces and settlers into the holy complex, saying, “Muslim and Christian holy places in East Jerusalem are a red line. We will not stand idly by before these assaults.”
As a Palestinian official said, the Israeli regime is “enthusiastically trying to turn the question of Palestine into a religious war” especially at a time when the Arab world is going through a period of instability and turbulence. It’s time for the Arab world and the international community to resist the Israeli aggression•
Palestinians and Israeli security forces clashed again at Al Aqsa Mosque compound yesterday, ratcheting up tension. And more trouble is feared in the week ahead as Jews celebrate the Sukkot holidays.
Israel is trying to consolidate its control over Jerusalem after confiscating Palestinian land. Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest mosque in Islam, is a sensitive issue to Muslims all over the world and any attempt to violate its sanctity and take control of it will meet with stiff resistance. Israel knows this fact, and the latest incursions into the mosque are part of a sinister plan.
After the brief clashes on the last day of the Eid Al Adha holiday, Palestinian protesters prepared “to defend” the mosque during the eight-day Jewish festival. The Sukkot holiday which started at sunset is expected to lead to an increase in Jewish visitors to the Al Aqsa compound.
Muslims have been alarmed by an increase in visits by Jews and fear rules governing the compound will be changed. Visits by Jews were stopped yesterday and age restrictions on Muslim men entering the compound were lifted for the Muslim holiday. But a ban on under-50s was re-imposed as Sukkot started. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said repeatedly he is committed to maintaining the status quo at the site, but Palestinians are skeptical.
“Al Aqsa is a holy place, but it is also a national symbol for Palestinians and all Arabs,” said Sheikh Kamal Khabit, deputy head of the Islamic Movement. “Jewish extremists want to destroy Al Aqsa to build a third temple.” The radical northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel and the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee, which represents Arab communities in Israel, had urged Muslims to go to the compound to defend it yesterday.
Israel must respect the faith of Muslims and refrain from provocative actions at the holy site. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has already warned Israel of another Intifada over the intensification of clashes in al Aqsa. Abbas made the remarks after a meeting with French leader Francois Hollande in the French capital on Tuesday. Abbas had previously condemned the incursions by Israeli forces and settlers into the holy complex, saying, “Muslim and Christian holy places in East Jerusalem are a red line. We will not stand idly by before these assaults.”
As a Palestinian official said, the Israeli regime is “enthusiastically trying to turn the question of Palestine into a religious war” especially at a time when the Arab world is going through a period of instability and turbulence. It’s time for the Arab world and the international community to resist the Israeli aggression•
