Cleric Calls for Intensifying Palestinian Presence at Aqsa on Tuesday

Occupied Jerusalem, MINA – Jerusalem clerics on Sunday called on the Palestinian people to intensify their presence at al-Aqsa Mosque next Tuesday to protect the site against expected break-ins by Israeli Knesset members.

They said in a statement that Israeli government’s decision allowing MKs to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque is “provocative, irresponsible and legally baseless”, affirming that al-Aqsa belongs to Muslims only, PIC reported.

The statement praised the Palestinian people, especially Jerusalemites, for standing for Al-Aqsa Mosque, and noted that Israelis’ repeated violations and attacks will not grant them any right in the holy site.

On 23rd August, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved a decision that allows MKs to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque starting next Tuesday, and based on this visit, other new steps may be taken.

Israeli government in October 2015 imposed a ban on MKs’ entry into Al-Aqsa Mosque following security assessments showing that the incursions conducted into the Mosque by Jewish groups, including ministries and MKs, were a key factor in the outbreak of Jerusalem Intifada at that time.(R/R04/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)