RAMALLAH, May 14, 2018 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers’ intrusions into flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound coupled with the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem dominated the front page headlines in Palestinian Arabic dailies on Monday.

Al-Quds reported that a total of 1,450 settlers forced their way into the mosque compound and assaulted mosque guards and Palestinians.

It added that Jerusalemite Palestinians confronted the settlers and foiled their celebrations of the so-called “Jerusalem Day”, which marks the 1967 Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem.

Al-Ayyam reported in this regard that settlers “desecrated” the Old City of Jerusalem and the mosque compound as police assaulted Jerusalemite Palestinians and detained others.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida described the settlers’ intrusion into the holy site as the largest since the June 1967 War, known as the Naksa.

The dailies also reported that Jordan has lodged a complaint with the Israeli foreign ministry demanding an immediate halt to settlers’ provocative raids into the mosque compound.

According to al-Ayyam, the Palestinian government condemned the raising of Israeli flags by settlers inside the mosque compound.

On the other hand, al-Quds opted to report that the US embassy would be opened in Jerusalem on Monday and that a US delegation of 300 people has arrived to Israel to attend the opening ceremonies.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida said that Palestinians were expected to hold marches, dubbed “Jerusalem Day Marches”, to mark the Nakba Day and express rejection of the US embassy relocation.

It added Israeli occupation authorities have threatened to suppress the marches and deployed military in Jerusalem neighborhoods and the US embassy’s periphery for the first time since very long time.

Furthermore, the dailies reported that the Palestinian government has called on countries all over the world to recognize East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine.

Al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida said Palestine has requested an urgent extraordinary meeting for the Arab League at the level of permanent representatives to address the embassy relocation.

According to al-Quds, the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs has called for boycotting the embassy opening ceremonies.

The dailies said that the Israeli government has allocated 2 billion Israeli shekels ($560 million) to consolidate the occupation of East Jerusalem.

Al-Ayyam reported the Palestinian factions calling on Palestinians to partake in protests in solidarity with Jerusalem today and affirming that a general strike would not be observed.

It also reported that the Israeli government has approved the cable car project that would connect West Jerusalem to the Old City.

The dailies also spotlighted preparations for escalating popular protests on Monday and Tuesday in the West Bank and besieged Gaza Strip.

Al-Quds said that the one-million-participants protest to be organized by Palestinians close to Gaza’s eastern border has raised Israel’s concerns.

It added that Israeli occupation authorities threw leaflets warning Palestinians against crossing the border fence.

According to al-Ayyam, Israel has taken preparations to suppress the would-be one million-participants in the Great March of Return, including through banning civil flights over Gaza and its periphery.

It said that two Palestinians were shot and injured by Israeli snipers as they partook in protests to the east of Rafah and Gaza, while three others were injured in a mysterious explosion.

Al-Quds and al-Ayyam reported the Humanitarian Coordinator Jamie McGoldrick calling for the protection of Palestinians, particularly children and health workers, in the context of demonstrations taking place in the occupied Palestinian territories.

According to al-Quds, Israeli occupation authorities denied a Palestinian Health Ministry delegation access into Gaza.

It added a Hamas delegation headed by Ismail Haniyeh returned to Gaza following a brief visit to Cairo.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics announcing that the number of Palestinians has rose nine-fold since the Nakba.

K.F./M.K.