RAMALLAH, August 24, 2015
(WAFA) – Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned calls made by Israel’s Public
Security Minister Gilad Erdan to ban the entry of Palestinian worshipers who
protest against settlers’ presence at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
The Ministry said this move
constitutes new evidence that Israel intends to enforce a spatial and temporal
division of the holy Mosque between Muslims and Jews.
Earlier Monday, Israeli media
said that Erdan had sent a letter to Israeli “Defense” Minister Moshe Ya’alon urging
him to outlaw a group of male and female Muslim protesters, often referred to
as “Murabitin” (males) and “Murabitat” (females), who gather at al-Aqsa Mosque
on a daily basis in order to block settlers’ entry to the Islamic holy site.
Almost every day, settler
groups carry out provocative visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to perform
religious rituals at the Islamic site. They are frequently confronted by the
Murabitin and Murabitat who gather to prevent them from touring the compound by
chanting religious slogans.
Al-Aqsa is located in East
Jerusalem, part of the internationally recognized Palestinian territories that
have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
The site has been at the heart
of unrest in recent months as Palestinian protesters took to the streets over
frequent and increasing settlers’ entry to the holy compound.
Palestinians worry that if
Jewish visitors were allowed to pray in the holy al-Aqsa Mosque’s yards on daily
basis, it would eventually lead to a permanent change, which will result in
full Israeli control and ban on Muslims’ entry and prayer.
This concern is generated by
the Israeli policy which prevents Palestinians living in the West Bank from
obtaining permits to enter Jerusalem to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Many
restrictions are placed on Jerusalemites’ entrance to the holy Compound,
including holding their identity cards until they leave the Mosque.
The site has witnessed
recurrent clashes in recent years between Palestinians and Israeli police, most
frequently due to provocative visits by Jewish extremists who believe the Mosque
should be replaced with a Jewish temple.
M.N/M.H
