Palestinian official calls for “a response at all levels” to silent Jewish prayer
Official PA TV program Good Morning Jerusalem
Official PA TV host: “The occupation court’s decision to allow extremists to hold silent prayers at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque (refers to a Jerusalem Magistrates’ Court ruling that Jews do not violate police instructions by silently praying at the Temple Mount, which was later overturned by a Jerusalem District Court ruling -Ed.) – what is your response to this, and what is the consequence of a decision like this on the situation of the Jerusalem residents, as you are very close since you are the southern gate of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque?”
Silwan and Al-Bustan Neighborhood Defense Committee member Fakhri Abu Diab: “First, the Israeli legal system and courts are part of the occupation system, and let the world not be deceived about these courts, which are perhaps attempting to always wrap every decision of the occupation with a legal wrapping to market it in the world.
Second, this is one of the most dangerous steps that the occupation wants to begin. Perhaps the Israeli occupation government ordered these courts to permit these most extreme extremists to hold silent prayers. This is the beginning of the division of the Al-Aqsa Mosque according to areas (see note below -Ed.), and this will be the most dangerous step after the attempt to place cameras and electronic gates at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque (refers to security measures in 2017 following an attack at the site; see note below -Ed.).
But at that time [in 2017] the response, resolve, and stand of the Jerusalem residents and those who stood alongside them led the occupation to fold. Therefore, the response needs to be commensurate to the historical, religious, and national value of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and also to be commensurate to this oppressive decision, because the occupation always anticipates the official and popular response… and on this basis it builds its next steps.
The occupation wants to divide the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and now it especially wants to cut off 5 dunams in the eastern area next to the Gate of Mercy [of the Old City] to establish a site for the settlers’ Talmudic (i.e., Jewish) ceremonies in this area.
Therefore, the response needs to be at the same level, and especially because this will empty the Jordanian auspices [at the Al-Aqsa Mosque] of content, will annul all the authorities of the [Islamic] Endowments Department [of Jerusalem], and there will also be an attempt here to do what the occupation did at the Ibrahimi Mosque (i.e., Cave of the Patriarchs) in Hebron and to gradually attempt first to join with us in [holding] prayers, and afterwards to also divide the mosque. I think that there needs to be a response at all levels to this act.”
[Official PA TV, Good Morning Jerusalem, Oct. 8, 2021]