PALESTINIAN PRESIDENCY CONDEMS INTRUDERS TO AL AQSA

       Al Quds (Jerusalem), 21 Jumadil Awal 1434/1 April 2013 (MINA) – The presidency, in a statement Sunday, condemned settlers breaking into al-Aqsa mosque, the arrest of several Palestinian worshipers, in addition to settlers breaking into a historical site in Bethlehem.

       The Israeli authorities Sunday allowed the entry of around 280 extremist settlers, protected by Israeli police, and six undercover Israeli police into al-Aqsa mosque yards, provoking the Palestinian worshipers after the undercover police urinated in the courtyards of the mosque, leading to clashes with the Israeli police.

        Israeli special units showed up at the scene and arrested tens of worshipers, used teargas, rubber bullets and electric shocks against the provoked worshipers, causing several suffocation cases among them, according to WAFA and Occupied Palestine reports monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) Monday morning.

        Israeli police also attacked the women and workers with clubs.

Also Read: Israeli Strikes Kill 18 in Gaza, Including Children, Ahead of Hostage Release

        Meanwhile, Tens of Jewish settlers Sunday broke into the historical and cultural site of Solomon’s Pools located between the town of al-Khader and the village of Irtas, south of Bethlehem.

        Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudineh warned of the implications of these measures that desecrate the sanctity of Islam religion and will only cause tension in the region.

        The presidency held the Israeli authorities responsible for this serious escalation which threatens any chances of peace, calling on the international community to stop these ongoing attacks against Palestinians and their holy sites.

Tension

Also Read: 700,000 American Citizens Live in Israeli Settlements of Occupied Palestine

        Tension prevailed in the holy Aqsa mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Sunday after Israeli occupation forces assaulted worshipers.

        Local sources told the PIC that the Israeli soldiers escorted 250 Jewish settlers into the holy site and engaged worshipers in fistfights.

        They said that the soldiers used Tasers in their attack, wounding a number of worshipers. They added that the soldiers detained ten worshipers in the mosque’s plazas. (T/P04/E1)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)

Also Read: Over 1,500 Gazans Go Blind as Eye Surgeries Halted by Israeli Blockade