BEIJING, July 19, 2017 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas decided Wednesday to cut short his trip abroad and return home due to the urgency of the situation in Jerusalem following Israeli measures at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Abbas’ spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said from Beijing where Abbas has been on an official state visit.

He said Abbas is going to convene an urgent meeting for the Palestinian leadership upon his return home to discuss the events at the Muslim holy compound.

Abbas is also in touch with Arab and world leaders to prevent further escalation in the situation, said Abu Rudeineh.

Israel closed Al-Aqsa Mosque for Muslim prayer on Friday, the first time in 50 years Muslim were not allowed to pray at Al-Aqsa on their holy day, following a shooting attack outside the mosque.

Following reopening of the compound on Sunday, Palestinians were surprised to see metal detectors placed at the gates to the compound and anyone entering the Muslim holy site had to go through them first.

Palestinian and Muslim leaders strongly opposed the Israeli measure and vowed not to enter the compound as long as the metal gates remain in place. As a result, thousands of worshippers have been holding prayers outside the gates that normally have been leading to serious and violent confrontations with Israeli police.

M.K.