Israeli Police Expels Senior Sheikh From Al-Aqsa Mosque For 14th Time

Director of Waqf Property in Al-Aqsa Mosque Sheikh Najeh Bkeerat (Photo : MEMO)

Al-Quds, 22 Rabiul Akhir 1437/1 February 2016 (MINA) – Israeli police expelled the Director of Waqf Property in Al-Aqsa Mosque Sheikh Najeh Bkeerat from Al-Aqsa Mosque for the 14th time over “security reasons,” Anadolu reported.

Speaking to Anadolu, Bkeerat said: “The Israeli police summoned me to one of its centre, detained me for several hours and then handed me an order from the police leadership demanding me not to approach the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque for six months.”

He continued: “This is the 14th time I am expelled from Al-Aqsa Mosque during my life. The total time I was obliged to be away from Al-Aqsa Mosque equals five and a half years.” Middle East Monitor (MEMO) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Bkeerat said: “The Israeli police claim that they expelled me over security reasons, but we are sure that the real reason is an implementation of the Israeli policy which aims to decrease our existence in Al-Aqsa Mosque ahead of portioning it.”

According to Bkeerat, this policy is not targeting him alone, but it is targeting tens of Palestinian men and women, “but it will fail.”

Bkeerat is one of the senior Palestinian officials in Al-Aqsa Mosque and he has been known for defending the holy site against the Israeli violations. In addition to being expelled, he has been arrested by the Israeli occupation several times. (T/P002/R07)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)