RAMALLAH, July 31, 2012 (WAFA) - The Islamic-Christian Committee for the Support of Jerusalem warned Tuesday of the implications of a decision by the Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem to turn the yards of al-Haram al-Sharif (the Holy Sanctuary), one of Islam’s holiest sites, into a public park.

It accused in a statement the municipality of plotting to undermine the importance of al-Haram al-Sharif, which houses al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, to Muslims by opening it up for free entry to all people, but mainly to Jews.

Hanna Issa, who heads the committee, said al-Aqsa Mosque and al-Haram al-Sharif are part of occupied East Jerusalem and therefore international law and the Hague Convention that protects cultural heritage in the event of armed conflict applies to them.

The committee urged the Organization of Islamic Conference, the Arab League and others to immediately intervene to put an end to what it described as “daily Israeli crimes against Jerusalem and al-Aqsa compound.”

An Israeli lawmaker had earlier suggested destroying or removing al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock from their place and replacing them with a Jewish temple. Jews believe the site was the location of their temples destroyed 3000 years ago, a claim strongly rejected by Muslims.

R.Q./M.S.