Palestinian official falsely claims that 1969 Al-Aqsa arson, committed by Australian Christian with a mental health disorder was "Israel's plan"
Official PA TV program Good Morning Jerusalem, on the 1969 Al-Aqsa Mosque arson – see note below
Official PA TV host: “We will begin by talking about the 51st anniversary of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque arson… Every day the Jerusalem residents and Palestinians recall the Al-Aqsa Mosque arson as if it were still burning. These are break-ins – over 30,000 settlers break into the Al-Aqsa Mosque every year. These are the crazy actions – stealing land [from the Al-Aqsa Mosque], prostrating on the ground, holding Talmudic (i.e., Jewish) prayers, the measures being implemented at the Al-Aqsa Mosque [such as] full security for break-ins and for actions of the settler gangs; and simultaneously, drying up the Islamic presence at the Al-Aqsa Mosque – removing [people] from it, arrests, preventing worshippers from reaching the Gate of Mercy (refers to an illegal compound; see note below –Ed.)… How do you respond to this holocaust that the Jerusalem residents are dealing with in their defense of the Al-Aqsa Mosque?”
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) representative Ahmed Al-Ruweidi: “Firstly… the Al-Aqsa Mosque has been targeted since the occupation in 1967…
The burning of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in 1969 was a clear message that Israel has a plan that was activated then, because it acquitted this man [Michael Rohan] (i.e., Australian Christian with a mental health disorder who committed the arson), and it claimed that he is crazy and did not judge him, and therefore-”
Host: “It expelled him after less than two years.”
Ahmed Al-Ruweidi: “Yes, that means that he had governmental cover and that this is not a matter that is connected to the settlers, or settler associations that were established afterwards, the Temple Mount association and others… and the matter developed into a number of associations now that are breaking into the Al-Aqsa Mosque and attempting to hold prayers and more… But the image [of an Israeli flag on the Temple Mount] that Israel attempted to present in 1967 gives an indication that they have especially targeted the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and they actually want to gather the Jews in the world around the alleged Temple, Torah stories, and a plan to transfer more Jews to Palestine.”
The PA and its leaders misrepresent all of the Temple Mount as an integral part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Therefore, they vilify any presence of Jews on the mount as a "break-in." 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. Israeli police ban Jewish prayer at the Temple Mount because of threats of violence by Palestinians.