TENSION HIGH AT AL-AQSA DUE TO ISRAELI INTRUSIONS

         Al-Quds (Jerussalem), 7 Dzulqai’dah 1434/ 13 September 2013 (MINA) –  Tension was high in the Old City of Jerusalem on Thursday, particularly inside of and at the gates leading to al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites, as police allowed Jewish fanatics free access to the compound, according to witnesses and Muslim officials.

         Officials said the Israeli police banned Palestinians under the age of 50, including students attending schools inside the walled compound, from entering the mosque, WAFA news agency quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

         Israeli military checkpoints were established on the main roads of the Old City in Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Foundation for Heritage and Empowerment (AFHE) reported. Palestinians over 50 were banned from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque, and hundreds of the Israelis soldiers were deployed in the streets of Jerusalem and by the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

         At the same time, said the officials, the police allowed Jewish fanatics of all ages free access to the Muslim compound, which they refer to as Temple Mount.

          Over a hundred Zionists broke into the Al-Aqsa Mosque through Bab Al-Maghareba Gate, under the watch of the Israeli police, the AFHE said.

         When the fanatics attempted to hold Jewish prayers inside the compound, mosque guards stopped them. However, the police intervened on behalf of the fanatics and arrested two of the guards.

         Palestinians chanted slogans against the occupation, and insisted on entering into the holy mosque, the AFHE said. 

         Witnesses said Palestinians attempting to enter the mosque clashed with Israeli police at Bab Hitta, in the Old City.

         They said police used force to keep the Palestinians away from the gates to the mosque.

          The Israeli occupation forces injured a number of Palestinians, and detained many others by the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Palestinian media reported.

          The IOF assaulted a number of Palestinians near Bab Al-Asbat gate, causing some of them serious wounds.

          The IOF arrested five Palestinians, eyewitnesses said. Alaa Abu Shekhaidem, headmaster of the Orphans School, is among the detainees.

          Israeli soldiers fired tear gas and stunning grenades inside the Orphans School, which resulted in the faintness of some children.

          Scheme to demolish Al-Aqsa mosque and build alleged Temple Mount instead

         Al-Aqsa Foundation for Waqf and Heritage said that the Israeli forces backed by different official characters and organizations began planning to demolish Al-Aqsa mosque to replace it with the alleged Temple Mount.

         They intensified their work aiming to meet Ben-Gurion saying on the alleged Mount, it added

         The foundation recorded in a statement a number of different Israeli schemes in different stages seek to make Jerusalem a completely Jewish city and link the scheme primarily to the building of the Mount. 

          It called for protecting Al-aqsa from serious danger facing it. (T/P02/E1)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)