NETANYAHU ORDERED POLICE TO PREVENT GOVERNMENT MINISTERS FROM ENTERING AL-AQSA

Al-Quds 24 Dhulhijjah 1436/8 October 2015 (MINA) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered police to prevent government ministers and Knesset members from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, according to Israeli media.

Clashes have rocked the Jerusalem site, which is holy to both Muslims and Jews, in recent weeks amid a spike in tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, Aljazeera quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The Haaretz newspaper quoted an official as saying that the prime minister gave his directive during a security consultation last week and has not yet formally informed the cabinet ministers of his directive.

Muslim Knesset members will still be allowed to access the mosque.

Some Jewish politicians have visited the site in recent weeks, including Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, who has come out in support of the right of Jews to pray in the compound.

Jews and non-Muslims can visit the site but are banned from praying there.

The Al-Aqsa compound is the third-holiest site in Islam and the most sacred in Judaism.

It is located in East Jerusalem, annexed by Israel in 1967 in a move never recognised by the international community.(T/Imt/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)