RAMALLAH, July 4, 2018 (WAFA) – The Palestinian government warned on Wednesday of serious escalation if Israel continues to facilitate provocative entry of extremist Jews into the Muslim al-Haram al-Sharif compound in Jerusalem, site of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, including the announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would allow Israeli lawmakers to enter the compound.

Netanyahu had previously banned the lawmakers from entering the Muslim site in fear that their presence would provoke confrontations with Palestinian Muslim worshippers. However, he changed his decision on Tuesday night and said the lawmakers, most of them right-wing fanatics who promote demolishing the Muslim site in order to build a Jewish temple on its location, can visit the compound once every three months.

Palestinian government spokesman Yousef al-Mahmoud said Netanyahu’s decision is considered “blatant and serious provocation,” and “encouraging harm to one of Islam’s holiest sites.”

He said Netanyahu would not have taken this step if he did not find support and encouragement from United States President Donald Trump.

“The occupation government under Netanyahu and the Trump administration are fully responsible for this dangerous escalation, which the Palestinian leadership and President Mahmoud Abbas have regularly warned against since it could lead the area into religious conflict,” he said.

M.K.