Palestinians Demand National Unity at Aqsa Sit-in

Protest demanding national unity after Friday prayers at Al-Asa Mosque. — Protest demanding national unity after Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Al-Quds, 23 Jumadil Akhir 1437/02 April 2016 (MINA) – Palestinians following Friday prayers staged a sit-in on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.

Demonstrators demanded promises from Palestinian leadership that recent reconciliation meetings held in Qatar would mark the beginning of the end of factional division, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) quoted Ma’an as reporting.. .

Participants, including Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Sheikh Muhammad Hussein and influential businessman Munib al-Masri, held signs reading “national unity” and waved Palestinian flags.

Hamas and Fatah officials met in Doha last weekend to discuss the implementation of a reconciliation process between the two major Palestinian factions, whose division has devastated efforts towards creating an independent Palestinian state.

The flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is a deeply-rooted symbol for the still unrealized Palestinian state, for which Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be the capital.

A Palestinian was detained earlier this week for waving a Palestinian flag at the compound, and Palestinian access to the site was restricted last week during the Jewish holiday of Purim as pilgrims toured the site under armed Israeli guard. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
.