Abbas denies again existence of Temple; says Jewish extremists plan to destroy Al-Aqsa mosque
Headline: “The president [Abbas]: Israel’s policy will ignite a religious war from which no one will be saved”
"Q: ‘The situation in the Palestinian territories, especially in Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, seems unclear. US Secretary of State [John Kerry] has reached understandings regarding the issue [the Al-Aqsa Mosque], called ‘Kerry’s understandings.’ Has Israel committed to the content of these understandings? Do you anticipate that the popular action will subside in the following days?’
Abbas: ‘What we and the brothers in Jordan agreed on with Secretary John Kerry, is to keep the status quo in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque as a place of Muslim worship, under the custody of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and under the administration of the Islamic Waqf (i.e., Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Foundation). This has been the situation since the occupation of East Jerusalem by Israel in 1967. However, this started to change later on, after the ominous visit of [then Israeli Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon [to the Temple Mount] in 2000, under Israeli security forces’ protection, which led to the second Intifada, the Al-Aqsa Intifada (i.e., PA terror campaign, 2000-2005). Since 2000, Israeli governments have been trying to change the situation, and the Israeli police and army forces began entering the plaza of the Sanctuary (i.e., the Al-Aqsa Mosque) wearing uniforms and carrying weapons. This is also the case with the extremist Jews, who wish, and declare so, to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque and build their alleged Temple in its place. This is while restrictions are imposed on Muslim worshippers, such as the prohibition [of entry] of people under the age of 50, and allocation of specific hours, during which only Jewish presence is allowed. This was a serious warning bell that the Israeli government wants to divide the Al-Aqsa Mosque according to areas and times. The Sanctuary was not the only reason for the popular action of the [Palestinian] residents of Jerusalem, as the acts of racism against the Palestinian residents of the city, Muslims and Christians alike, have taken many forms in recent years.’”
"Division according to areas and times" refers to a proposed law (May 2013) being reviewed in Israeli Parliament that would allow for both Jews and Muslims to pray on the Temple Mount. The law seeks to designate separate prayer times and areas of the site for Muslims and Jews.
"Q: ‘The situation in the Palestinian territories, especially in Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, seems unclear. US Secretary of State [John Kerry] has reached understandings regarding the issue [the Al-Aqsa Mosque], called ‘Kerry’s understandings.’ Has Israel committed to the content of these understandings? Do you anticipate that the popular action will subside in the following days?’
Abbas: ‘What we and the brothers in Jordan agreed on with Secretary John Kerry, is to keep the status quo in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque as a place of Muslim worship, under the custody of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and under the administration of the Islamic Waqf (i.e., Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Foundation). This has been the situation since the occupation of East Jerusalem by Israel in 1967. However, this started to change later on, after the ominous visit of [then Israeli Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon [to the Temple Mount] in 2000, under Israeli security forces’ protection, which led to the second Intifada, the Al-Aqsa Intifada (i.e., PA terror campaign, 2000-2005). Since 2000, Israeli governments have been trying to change the situation, and the Israeli police and army forces began entering the plaza of the Sanctuary (i.e., the Al-Aqsa Mosque) wearing uniforms and carrying weapons. This is also the case with the extremist Jews, who wish, and declare so, to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque and build their alleged Temple in its place. This is while restrictions are imposed on Muslim worshippers, such as the prohibition [of entry] of people under the age of 50, and allocation of specific hours, during which only Jewish presence is allowed. This was a serious warning bell that the Israeli government wants to divide the Al-Aqsa Mosque according to areas and times. The Sanctuary was not the only reason for the popular action of the [Palestinian] residents of Jerusalem, as the acts of racism against the Palestinian residents of the city, Muslims and Christians alike, have taken many forms in recent years.’”
"Division according to areas and times" refers to a proposed law (May 2013) being reviewed in Israeli Parliament that would allow for both Jews and Muslims to pray on the Temple Mount. The law seeks to designate separate prayer times and areas of the site for Muslims and Jews.