JERUSALEM, March 15, 2018 (WAFA) – Staff from the Israeli Nature Authority caused concern on Thursday when they were caught putting markers in the historic Muslim cemetery outside Bab al-Rahmeh (the Golden Gate), the closed gate in the wall of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, according to officials from the Muslim Waqf (endowment) department, which is in charge of the cemetery and Muslim holy places.

Waqf director, Azzam al-Khatib, and the imam of al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Yusuf Abu Sneineh, quarreled with the Israeli staff for trespassing on private Muslim property and walking on the graves and ordered them to leave the site.

The Israelis placed markers on the graves before leaving, which is believed related to plans by the Israeli government to take over the cemetery or sections from it to build gardens and for excavation purposes. Israel also plans to build a cable car over the Old City of Jerusalem and wants to build a station for the cable car in an area of the cemetery.

Bab al-Rahmeh cemetery is one of the oldest in Jerusalem where historic Muslim religious figures are buried.

C.K./M.K.