PALESTINIANS SOUND ALARM OVER AL AQSA SYNAGOGUE
Ramallah, 15 Syawal 1434/22 Agustus 2013 (MINA) – The Christian-Muslim Commission for support of Jerusalem and holy sites has warned it will approach UN institutions and the Human Rights Council to lodge a complaint against the Israeli colonist association Yishai which has revealed its plans for a new synagogue in the heart of Al Aqsa Compound in occupied Jerusalem.
Dr Hanna Eisa, the Secretary General of the commission, claims that Yishai has secretly obtained official permits for the construction in the third holiest site for Muslims.
The new synagogue is expected to be built in the southwestern area of Al Aqsa Mosque and in front of Al Marwani prayer area.
“This is a serious plan aimed at planting Jewish existence within the Muslim sacred area,” Dr Eisa told Gulf News.
104 Jewish synagogues are spread around Al Aqsa Compound
Dr Eisa said that the construction of the synagogue will be the initial step to put in action an Israeli draft law where the days of the week will be divided between the Muslim and Jewish worshipers at the Al Aqsa Compound, Gulf News quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.
“Certain days of the week will be solely granted for the Jewish worshipers and on them Muslims will not be allowed into Al Aqsa Compound, just the way the Ebrahimi mosque of Hebron is currently run,” he said, adding that the time granted to Jewish worshipers will be increased over a short period of time, thereby limiting the time
Muslims visit Al Aqsa Compound to the Friday prayers. “This is a serious plan that should be confronted on all levels including the official and the public,” he stressed.
Israel currently considers the open areas of Al Aqsa Compound as public parks which are open to Jewish visitors and an official decision to make the new synagogue a reality is expected shortly.
“A total of 104 Jewish synagogues are spread around Al Aqsa Compound, and the Israelis are now entering the sacred site as well,” he said, adding that the current conditions in the Arab world make the Zionist dream of taking over Al Aqsa Compound and turning it into a major synagogue easier and more possible. He said that the issue of the new synagogue has been addressed with the Jordanian authorities who are the custodians of the sacred sites in the holy city.
He said that Israeli excavations under Al Aqsa Compound reached 18 meters under the ground, and that they now have available several halls accommodating 5,000 people. By 2020, Israelis will have completed a big underground city under Al Aqsa Compound accommodating six million people.
Collapse near western wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque due to Israeli excavations
Meanwhile, a former Head of the Planning Branch of the IMF General Staff Major General Uzi Dayan demanded the Israeli students on Wednesday to intensify their attacks on Al-Aqsa mosque. Al-Aqsa Foundation for Waqf and Heritage said Dayan called for continuing judaizing AL-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.
The foundation warned of Dayan’s statements and considered them preamble steps to more schemes aimed at dividing Al-Aqsa mosque.
It is expected that Dayan will introduce his view in front of the Education Forum to be held on Thursday in “Holon” city.
Al-Aqsa Foundation and Cultural Heritage Organization said that an area collapsed near the western wall of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem late Tuesday.
The collapse happened near the Bab as Silsila, on the western part of the mosque, according to an eyewitness.
“It is the second collapse near the western wall in 5 years,” Cum’a Usayle, an eyewitness said.
Usayle told Anadolu Agency, “The collapse has caused a deep hole there. It is dangerous for the Al-Aqsa Mosque. It poses danger especially for children and women.”
No security precautions around the area have been taken by Israeli officials so far. There is also no statement about the event.
Al-Aqsa Foundation and Cultural Heritage Organization accused Israel of paving the way for demolishing the Al-Aqsa Mosque by building new settlements and digging dozens of tunnels. (T/P02/E1)
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
