DOZENS INJURED IN AL-AQSA MOSQUE

Al-Quds  (Jerussalem), 2 Zulqaidah 1434/7 September 2013 (MINA) – Palestinian medical sources have reported that dozens of worshipers have been injured on Friday (6/9) after Israeli soldiers fired gas bombs,rubber-coated metal bullets, and used pepper spray, at Palestinians in the yards of the mosque following Friday noon prayers.

Eyewitnesses said that undercover soldiers of the Israeli military infiltrated into the yards of the mosque through the Al-Magharaba Gate, and surrounded the worshipers in the Al-Qibly Mosque by placing iron barriers around it.

A number of youths hurled stones at the invading soldiers, and the army fired gas bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets, and sprayed some worshipers with pepper-spray.

The soldiers also forced local reporters out of the mosque area, and prevented them from documenting the attack. Several journalists were also forced out.

Medical sources said that dozens have been treated for the effects of teargas inhalation, while others suffered cuts and bruises after being hit by rubber-coated metal bullets; all were moved to local clinics and hospitals.

The sources said that at least fifty Palestinians were injured in the attack; 20 were shot by rubber-coated metal bullets, and at least thirty have been treated for the effects of teargas inhalation.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, warned of the Israeli intention to control the holy sites and the Islamic Wqf in Jerusalem.

       The Israeli occupation built towers near El-Buraq wall in an attempt to impose control on the area especially Bab El-Maghreba and EL-Buraq wall, he said in a statement on Saturday.

       “The Israeli occupation tries to legislate the attacks against Al-Aqsa mosque through its Knesst which issued decisions to support that,” he added.

         He explained that the increasing aggression against Al-Aqsa was due to the critical circumstances in the region.

         The protection of Al-Aqsa is the responsibility of the Palestinians and the whole Arab world, he added. 

Israel Planning to Build Holy Temple

        The head of manuscripts at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Najeh Bkeirat, has accused Israel of trying to “Judaize” the Temple Mount by building a new Holy Temple.

        Speaking on January 4 to the Palestine journal, which is affiliated with the Hamas terrorist group, Bkeirat claimed that “the construction of the false Temple is closer than ever before.”

        Bkeirat claimed in the interview that an analysis of Jerusalem’s development plans finds there is an intention to Judaize the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and within this framework build the Temple on its ruins and to then reduce the number of Arab residents in the city.

        In order to deal with the “danger” of such a move, he called to increase the Muslim presence in the Al-Aqsa Mosque and hold educational programs in it, in addition to public relations activities about the importance of the mosque and the other Islamic holy places in Jerusalem.

        Arabs continuously accuse Israel of “Judaizing” the Temple Mount, sometimes resorting to ridiculous propaganda such as accusing Israel of using chemicals to erode the foundations of the mosque in order to cause it to collapse.

        The Popular Resistance Committees terrorist organization has threatened Israel that any harm to the Al-Aqsa mosque would “open the gates of hell against the Zionist enemy.”

         Meanwhile the Waqf, which was left in charge of the Temple Mount following Jerusalem’s reunification in 1967, has removed every sign of ancient Jewish presence at the Jewish holy site. The decision to leave the Temple Mount in the hands of the Waqf was made by then-Defense Minister Moshe Dayan.

         At the entrance to the Temple Mount, a Waqf sign says, “The Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard and everything in it is Islamic property”.

         Police, in an attempt to appease the Waqf, discriminate against Jews. They limit the number of Jewish worshippers allowed on the Temple Mount at one time in order to prevent conflict with Muslim worshippers. They often close the Mount to Jews in response to Muslim riots – despite evidence that Muslim riots have been planned in advance for the specific purpose of forcing Jews out.

         A recent report by archaeologists found that the Waqf is continuing to destroy Jewish antiquities on the Temple Mount in a direct violation of a ruling by the Supreme Court. (T/P02/P04)

 

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)