JERUSALEM INTIFADA LIMITS SETTLERS’ BREAK-INS IN AL-AQSA

Al Quds, 3 Rabi’ul Awwal 1437/14 December 2015 (MINA) – A Palestinian report said that Jerusalem Intifada succeeded in limiting Israeli settlers’ break-ins into Al-Aqsa Mosque during Hanukkah Holiday (also known as the Festival of Lights) in comparison to last year’s festival.

367 Israeli settlers stormed the Mosque over the past week under heavily-armed police protection marking the Hanukkah festival, Quds Press documented in its report, The Palestinian Information Center (PIC) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Israeli Jewish organizations have earlier called for escalating settlers’ break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque over the past week that coincides with the Jewish Festival of Lights.

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Head of Palestinian worshipers committee in Al-Aqsa, Youssef Mukhmar, pointed out that Israeli authorities have allowed limited settlers’ presence in the Mosque for fear of escalating the situation that already reached a high level of tension.

For his part, media official of Waqf department in al-Aqsa, Firas Dubas, said that 500 Israeli settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque during the seven-day holiday of Hanukkah last year; however, in 2015 only 381 settlers stormed the holy shrine during the Jewish holidays. (T/Imt/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)