PA Minister of Religious Affairs: “Every day the Al-Aqsa Mosque is attacked and desecrated,” calls on Palestinians to come defend it
Headline: “Ida’is: More than 100 attacks by the occupation against the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the places of worship during the last month”
“[PA] Minister of Religious Affairs Yusuf Ida’is said that the fact that the occupation government allowed Israeli parliament members and settler extremists to invade the Al-Aqsa Mosque constitutes a large step of escalation…
He explained that this decision was made while the Al-Aqsa Mosque is being desecrated daily… and the attacks against the peaceful worshippers within it continue, and while the serious Israeli attempts to divide it according to times and areas are continuing, in preparation for its destruction and the building of the alleged Temple in its place… The minister of religious affairs explained that every day the Al-Aqsa Mosque is attacked and desecrated, the archeological artifacts within it are stolen, and excavations damage its foundations…
He added that the Israeli government’s decision to allow Israeli Parliament members to invade the Al-Aqsa Mosque today [Aug. 29, 2017] heralds disastrous consequences, and indicates that the occupation is striving to create tension. He also called on the members of our people in Jerusalem and whoever can to come to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and stay in it unceasingly in order to thwart the intentions of the occupation and the herds of settlers, and to defend the Al-Aqsa Mosque against desecration and attacks.”
The PA and its leaders consider all of the Temple Mount an integral part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Therefore they view any presence of Jews on the mount as an "invasion." It should be noted that Jews who visit the Temple Mount only enter some sections of the open areas, and do not enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque or the Dome of the Rock.
"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, what the Palestinians call the Al-Aqsa Mosque plaza. The law seeks to designate separate prayer times and areas of the site for Muslims and Jews.
However, Israeli PM Netanyahu has stated on many occasions that the Israeli government has no intention of changing the status quo on the Temple Mount, which means Jews are allowed to enter the Temple Mount, but cannot pray there or engage in any type of worship.
“[PA] Minister of Religious Affairs Yusuf Ida’is said that the fact that the occupation government allowed Israeli parliament members and settler extremists to invade the Al-Aqsa Mosque constitutes a large step of escalation…
He explained that this decision was made while the Al-Aqsa Mosque is being desecrated daily… and the attacks against the peaceful worshippers within it continue, and while the serious Israeli attempts to divide it according to times and areas are continuing, in preparation for its destruction and the building of the alleged Temple in its place… The minister of religious affairs explained that every day the Al-Aqsa Mosque is attacked and desecrated, the archeological artifacts within it are stolen, and excavations damage its foundations…
He added that the Israeli government’s decision to allow Israeli Parliament members to invade the Al-Aqsa Mosque today [Aug. 29, 2017] heralds disastrous consequences, and indicates that the occupation is striving to create tension. He also called on the members of our people in Jerusalem and whoever can to come to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and stay in it unceasingly in order to thwart the intentions of the occupation and the herds of settlers, and to defend the Al-Aqsa Mosque against desecration and attacks.”
The PA and its leaders consider all of the Temple Mount an integral part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Therefore they view any presence of Jews on the mount as an "invasion." It should be noted that Jews who visit the Temple Mount only enter some sections of the open areas, and do not enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque or the Dome of the Rock.
"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, what the Palestinians call the Al-Aqsa Mosque plaza. The law seeks to designate separate prayer times and areas of the site for Muslims and Jews.
However, Israeli PM Netanyahu has stated on many occasions that the Israeli government has no intention of changing the status quo on the Temple Mount, which means Jews are allowed to enter the Temple Mount, but cannot pray there or engage in any type of worship.