SEVERAL INJURED AS ZIONIST FORCES STORM AL-AQSA MOSQUE

Al Quds (Jerusalem), 30 Rajab 1435/29 May 2014 (MINA) – Israeli occupation forces have shot and injured at least four Palestinian worshippers in the al-Aqsa Mosque in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Local sources say clashes erupted at the mosque compound when Palestinian worshippers protested the presence of Zionist extremists in the holy Islamic site.

The Jewish extremists were commemorating the “Jerusalem Day,” which marks the anniversary of Israel’s capture of East al-Quds (Jerusalem) in 1967, Press TV quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting on Thursday.

Witnesses say Israeli forces fired stun grenades and rubber bullets at Palestinian protesters. A number of worshippers were reportedly pepper-sprayed.

The al-Aqsa Mosque has been the scene of clashes in recent months following frequent visits by Israeli settlers and officials to the holy site.

Israel is facing mounting pressure to rein in a spiraling wave of hate crimes by Israelis, mainly in the form of vandalism and graffiti – targeting mosques and churches.

This comes as Israeli occupation authorities are systematically acting to change East al-Quds’ identity and character.

Meanwhile, a report published by the al-Aqsa Foundation in October, said the Israeli regime is planning to build a synagogue in al-Aqsa Mosque compound as part of its efforts to further Judaize the occupied Palestinian territories.

Over the past decades, Israel has tried to change demographic makeup of al-Quds by constructing illegal settlements, destroying historical sites, and expelling the local Palestinian population.

Over half a million Israelis live in over 120 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds. The international community considers the settlements as illegal. (T/P015/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)