CAIRO, July 23, 2017 (WAFA) – Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit Sunday said that the Israeli government is playing with fire and starting a major crisis with the Arab and Muslim worlds.

Aboul Gheit said all the recent Israeli measures in al-Aqsa Mosque compound indicate that Israel is attempting to enforce new facts and change the status quo in the Old City, something that is unacceptable and is a red line that Israel should not bypass.

“Israel is pushing the region into a very dangerous curve by adopting policies and measures that are not only targeting the Palestinians, but provoking the feelings of every Arab and Muslim,” said his spokesman Mahmoud Afifi.  

Aboul Gheit said that the past days proved that security considerations are not the real motive behind the recent Israeli actions in Jerusalem’s Old City and al-Aqsa. Everyone is aware of the gravity of Israel’s plans to change the city’s Arab and Islamic identity.”

He called on the international community, primarily the United States, to intervene to compel the Israeli government to maintain the status quo at the holy compound.

Aboul Gheit also called on the international community, primarily the United States, to shoulder their responsibilities and compel the Israeli government to maintain the status quo of Jerusalem.

Israeli police closed the mosque nine days ago for Muslims following an attack that left three Palestinians and two Israeli policemen dead.

The mosque was reopened on Sunday after metal detectors were installed; a move Palestinians said they will not accept because it changes the status quo at the mosque.

Since then, Palestinian Muslims have been holding the daily prayers outside the gates, insisting they will not enter it for worship until the metal detectors are removed.

Israeli soldiers and Israeli settlers have killed a number of Palestinians, injured and arrested hundreds in East Jerusalem and the West Bank since the installation of metal detectors.

A.D/M.N/M.H