8 july 2018
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A number of Israeli ministers and members of the Knesset defiled al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards on Sunday morning amid heavy presence of Israeli police forces.
This break-in is the first of its kind after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an edict a few days ago ending a ban imposed on lawmakers and ministers that prohibited them from visiting the holy site. The first minister to enter the Mosque was Minister of Agriculture Uri Ariel who headed the first group of settlers that entered al-Aqsa Mosque via al-Maghariba Gate and toured its courtyards. In statements following the break-in, Ariel said, "We are witnessing significant progress, and anyone who was here three years ago will appreciate this. Thankfully we have a public security minister, a police chief, and leaders who care about us and facilitate our visits to the Temple." Later in the morning, MK Sharren Haskel of the ruling Likud party also entered the site with a different settler group, the Hebrew TV channel Seven reported. Haskel said that this is the first time she has been able to enter the holy site since Netanyahu imposed the ban three years ago, claiming that al-Aqsa Mosque is part of the Jewish culture and heritage. A few days ago Netanyahu said he would lift the ban on parliamentarians visiting al-Aqsa Mosque, three years after the government forbade them from entering the site due to "security concerns". |
Minister Ariel, who had repeatedly led settler break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque, said, "Neither the King of Jordan nor Mahmoud Abbas can decide here. Israel is the only decision maker."
A group of extremist Jewish settlers led by Israeli minister of agriculture Uri Ariel desecrated the Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards on Sunday morning.
Scores of settlers entered the Aqsa Mosque compound through al-Maghariba Gate in separate groups, but Ariel was at the head of the first group of settlers who toured the Islamic holy site this morning.
Ariel became the first minister to defile the Aqsa Mosque after Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu issued an edict a few days ago ending a ban imposed on lawmakers and ministers that prohibited them from visiting the holy site.
As usual, Israeli police forces also violated the Islamic sanctity of the holy place as they were escorting the settlers during their tours.
Scores of settlers entered the Aqsa Mosque compound through al-Maghariba Gate in separate groups, but Ariel was at the head of the first group of settlers who toured the Islamic holy site this morning.
Ariel became the first minister to defile the Aqsa Mosque after Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu issued an edict a few days ago ending a ban imposed on lawmakers and ministers that prohibited them from visiting the holy site.
As usual, Israeli police forces also violated the Islamic sanctity of the holy place as they were escorting the settlers during their tours.
7 july 2018
Israeli police on Saturday morning launched a new attack on Bab al-Rahma area east of al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem.
According to Jerusalem's Islamic Awqaf Department, Israeli policemen in the early morning hours wreaked havoc in Bab al-Rahma area.
It added in a brief statement that al-Aqsa guards confronted the Israeli police and forced them to stop the attack.
Bab al-Rahma has been repeatedly attacked by the police over the past month after settler groups claimed on social media websites that the cleaning campaign launched in the area following some restorations there is an "act of vandalism".
The Israeli police further uprooted olive trees planted in the area and destroyed the new stairs built of al-Aqsa Mosque stones.
According to Jerusalem's Islamic Awqaf Department, Israeli policemen in the early morning hours wreaked havoc in Bab al-Rahma area.
It added in a brief statement that al-Aqsa guards confronted the Israeli police and forced them to stop the attack.
Bab al-Rahma has been repeatedly attacked by the police over the past month after settler groups claimed on social media websites that the cleaning campaign launched in the area following some restorations there is an "act of vandalism".
The Israeli police further uprooted olive trees planted in the area and destroyed the new stairs built of al-Aqsa Mosque stones.
Slovakia has denied reports that it was on its way to relocating its embassy to Occupied Jerusalem.
A statement issued by Slovakia’s Foreign Ministry in response to Israeli media reports on Slovakia’s intent to relocate its embassy said such reports are counterfeit.
The ministry stressed Slovakia’s adoption of the European Union’s position as regards the matter, saying it refuses unilateral standpoints.
One day earlier, Israeli media said Andrej Danko, head of the Slovak National Council, told Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin, during a visit to Tel Aviv, that his country is gearing up to move its Israel embassy to Occupied Jerusalem.
A statement issued by Slovakia’s Foreign Ministry in response to Israeli media reports on Slovakia’s intent to relocate its embassy said such reports are counterfeit.
The ministry stressed Slovakia’s adoption of the European Union’s position as regards the matter, saying it refuses unilateral standpoints.
One day earlier, Israeli media said Andrej Danko, head of the Slovak National Council, told Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin, during a visit to Tel Aviv, that his country is gearing up to move its Israel embassy to Occupied Jerusalem.
Since the start of the Hebrew calendar year, the number of Jewish settlers who have desecrated the Aqsa Mosque for rituals is probably the highest since 1967, according to Haaretz newspaper.
Haaretz said that statistics released by a Zionist group called Yera’eh claimed that the number of settlers who entered the Mosque during the Hebrew calendar amounted to 22,383 Jews.
According to the newspaper, the relatively calm security situation at the Mosque and in the Old City of Jerusalem in the past two years, and the protection provided by the Israeli police for the Jewish settlers visiting the Mosque as well as the revolutionary changes in religious views that banned in the past any Jew from visiting the site have encouraged the Jewish community to visit the holy site.
Haaretz said that statistics released by a Zionist group called Yera’eh claimed that the number of settlers who entered the Mosque during the Hebrew calendar amounted to 22,383 Jews.
According to the newspaper, the relatively calm security situation at the Mosque and in the Old City of Jerusalem in the past two years, and the protection provided by the Israeli police for the Jewish settlers visiting the Mosque as well as the revolutionary changes in religious views that banned in the past any Jew from visiting the site have encouraged the Jewish community to visit the holy site.
5 july 2018
Slovakia is on its way to relocating its embassy to Occupied Jerusalem, Andrej Danko, head of the Slovak National Council told Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday.
According to the Hebrew-speaking Israel Hayom daily, on Tuesday, a visiting delegation of Slovak lawmakers also announced the Eastern European country would open a cultural center in Occupied Jerusalem.
The move, when it materializes, would mark a break from European Union policy on Jerusalem. Slovakia would join the Czech Republic and Bulgaria as the other European Union member states to expand their diplomatic presence in the city since US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The decision, made by Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, came after Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein called on Bratislava's government to follow the Czech Republic in opening an honorary consulate in the city.
Edelstein thanked the Slovaks, saying, "This is a tremendous diplomatic achievement for Israel and a pleasant surprise for all of us. I am certain that when additional delegations arrive here they will understand Jerusalem is Israel's eternal capital."
The U.S. in May became the first country to move its embassy in Israel to Occupied Jerusalem, following President Donald Trump's Dec. 6 recognition of the city as Israel's capital. The move was met with widespread anger and universal condemnation.
According to the Hebrew-speaking Israel Hayom daily, on Tuesday, a visiting delegation of Slovak lawmakers also announced the Eastern European country would open a cultural center in Occupied Jerusalem.
The move, when it materializes, would mark a break from European Union policy on Jerusalem. Slovakia would join the Czech Republic and Bulgaria as the other European Union member states to expand their diplomatic presence in the city since US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The decision, made by Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, came after Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein called on Bratislava's government to follow the Czech Republic in opening an honorary consulate in the city.
Edelstein thanked the Slovaks, saying, "This is a tremendous diplomatic achievement for Israel and a pleasant surprise for all of us. I am certain that when additional delegations arrive here they will understand Jerusalem is Israel's eternal capital."
The U.S. in May became the first country to move its embassy in Israel to Occupied Jerusalem, following President Donald Trump's Dec. 6 recognition of the city as Israel's capital. The move was met with widespread anger and universal condemnation.
4 july 2018
A group of Israeli settlers stormed Wednesday morning al-Aqsa Mosque via the Israeli-controlled al-Magharibeh Gate.
Local sources affirmed to the PIC reporter that dozens of settlers broke into the holy shrine under heavy armed military protection and roamed its courtyards during the morning hours.
More groups of settlers are expected to break into the site later in the day.
Israeli settlers carry out daily incursions into al-Aqsa Mosque under the police protection especially in the early morning hours taking advantage of the small number of Palestinian worshipers in the Mosque during this period.
Local sources affirmed to the PIC reporter that dozens of settlers broke into the holy shrine under heavy armed military protection and roamed its courtyards during the morning hours.
More groups of settlers are expected to break into the site later in the day.
Israeli settlers carry out daily incursions into al-Aqsa Mosque under the police protection especially in the early morning hours taking advantage of the small number of Palestinian worshipers in the Mosque during this period.
3 july 2018
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Alarm bells continue to be sounded over Israeli measures seeking to grab hold of the eastern corners of Bab al-Rahma Cemetery adjacent to the al-Aqsa Mosque.
Located beneath the eastern walls of Occupied Jerusalem, the historical Bab al-Rahma Cemetery is home to the body remains of a number of companions of the Prophet of Islam Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him. Muslims’ bodies have been buried in the cemetery for over 1,400 years. It is bordered on the east by a wall leading to the Maghareba Gate and on the west by Jerusalem’s eastern wall, which also makes part of al-Aqsa Mosque wall. |
Head of the Committee of Islamic Cemeteries in Occupied Jerusalem, Mustafa Abu Zahra, said the occupation authorities have set up an iron wall south of the cemetery on an endowment land tract overseeing al-Husaini Hill.
He added that the targeted part covers an area of five dunums. One more dunum has been seized from the cemetery’s southern corners.
Speaking with a PIC news correspondent, Abu Zahra said the cemetery is an Islamic waqf (endowment), which is proved by historical documents.
He warned of Israeli intents to Judaize parts of the cemetery including an area which is home to the graves of 123 Egyptian soldiers buried in Occupied Jerusalem before 1948.
“The iron wall, finalized on Thursday, has taken way the largest area of the Egyptian martyrs’ graveyard,” said Abu Zahra, adding that touristic sites and Talmudic parks will be built in the area.”
He said a lawsuit has been filed at the Israeli Central Court in Occupied Jerusalem over Israel’s takeover of five dunums of the cemetery.
Others parts of the cemetery, from the southern side, were also seized a few years ago, particularly in the areas where Muslim burials are banned by the occupation authorities.
“We hope that the court verdict would be on Muslims’ side, though we know very well that the court adopts the claims of the (Israeli) Nature Authority that that there are no objections over the confiscation”, he said.
Abu Zahra expressed concerns over Israeli schemes to establish a cable car on the confiscated land, saying plans for the Israeli projects have been released.
“The targeted lands belong to every single Muslim in the world. They are adjacent to the third holiest site in Islam and make part of Palestine’s and Jerusalem’s historic land”, he said. “All Muslims should stand on guard to such schemes aiming to obliterate the Islamic identity of Jerusalem’s holy sites.”
He called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation along with the Egyptian and Turkish governments to take urgent action vis-à-vis Israel’s sacrilegious plots.
Bab al-Rahma Cemetery covers an area of 23 dunums, stretching from al-Asbat Gate down to al-Aqsa walls.
He added that the targeted part covers an area of five dunums. One more dunum has been seized from the cemetery’s southern corners.
Speaking with a PIC news correspondent, Abu Zahra said the cemetery is an Islamic waqf (endowment), which is proved by historical documents.
He warned of Israeli intents to Judaize parts of the cemetery including an area which is home to the graves of 123 Egyptian soldiers buried in Occupied Jerusalem before 1948.
“The iron wall, finalized on Thursday, has taken way the largest area of the Egyptian martyrs’ graveyard,” said Abu Zahra, adding that touristic sites and Talmudic parks will be built in the area.”
He said a lawsuit has been filed at the Israeli Central Court in Occupied Jerusalem over Israel’s takeover of five dunums of the cemetery.
Others parts of the cemetery, from the southern side, were also seized a few years ago, particularly in the areas where Muslim burials are banned by the occupation authorities.
“We hope that the court verdict would be on Muslims’ side, though we know very well that the court adopts the claims of the (Israeli) Nature Authority that that there are no objections over the confiscation”, he said.
Abu Zahra expressed concerns over Israeli schemes to establish a cable car on the confiscated land, saying plans for the Israeli projects have been released.
“The targeted lands belong to every single Muslim in the world. They are adjacent to the third holiest site in Islam and make part of Palestine’s and Jerusalem’s historic land”, he said. “All Muslims should stand on guard to such schemes aiming to obliterate the Islamic identity of Jerusalem’s holy sites.”
He called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation along with the Egyptian and Turkish governments to take urgent action vis-à-vis Israel’s sacrilegious plots.
Bab al-Rahma Cemetery covers an area of 23 dunums, stretching from al-Asbat Gate down to al-Aqsa walls.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday permitted Knesset members to break-into al-Aqsa Mosque for the first time since two and a half years.
According to Israeli media sources, Netanyahu wrote to Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein that MKs should be allowed up once every three months.
In October 2015, Netanyahu barred MKs from storming the holy shrine as part of an attempt to reduce tensions after the outbreak of Jerusalem Intifada.
Jewish extremist groups have repeatedly called for the Israeli government to exercise control over al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Their increased incursions into the mosque compound have triggered Palestinian protests across the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
Although formally banned from praying there, Israeli activists enjoy police escort when they venture into the compound.
According to Israeli media sources, Netanyahu wrote to Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein that MKs should be allowed up once every three months.
In October 2015, Netanyahu barred MKs from storming the holy shrine as part of an attempt to reduce tensions after the outbreak of Jerusalem Intifada.
Jewish extremist groups have repeatedly called for the Israeli government to exercise control over al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Their increased incursions into the mosque compound have triggered Palestinian protests across the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
Although formally banned from praying there, Israeli activists enjoy police escort when they venture into the compound.
Israeli settlers on Tuesday morning carried out excavations in al-Yousufiy al-Tahta area located under the Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil city.
Head of Awqaf Department in al-Khalil Ismail Abu al-Halawa told Quds Press that tunnels are being dug under the Ibrahimi Mosque with the participation of Israeli settlers under full protection by the Israeli occupation army.
Abu al-Halawa said that the Israeli occupation forces have stepped up their attacks on the Ibrahimi Mosque since the end of Ramadan with the aim of altering its Islamic character and turning it into a Jewish synagogue in a blatant violation of international laws.
The Israeli occupation authorities have recently opened a new detention center in the Old City of al-Khalil. During the month of Ramadan, the Israeli forces secured a settler break-in during which a copy of Torah was sneaked into the Ibrahimi Mosque.
The Israeli authorities imposed a temporal and spatial division on the holy site following the Ibrahim Mosque massacre in 1994 and usually prevent Palestinian worshipers from praying at the Mosque during Jewish holidays.
Head of Awqaf Department in al-Khalil Ismail Abu al-Halawa told Quds Press that tunnels are being dug under the Ibrahimi Mosque with the participation of Israeli settlers under full protection by the Israeli occupation army.
Abu al-Halawa said that the Israeli occupation forces have stepped up their attacks on the Ibrahimi Mosque since the end of Ramadan with the aim of altering its Islamic character and turning it into a Jewish synagogue in a blatant violation of international laws.
The Israeli occupation authorities have recently opened a new detention center in the Old City of al-Khalil. During the month of Ramadan, the Israeli forces secured a settler break-in during which a copy of Torah was sneaked into the Ibrahimi Mosque.
The Israeli authorities imposed a temporal and spatial division on the holy site following the Ibrahim Mosque massacre in 1994 and usually prevent Palestinian worshipers from praying at the Mosque during Jewish holidays.
2 july 2018
51 Jewish settlers on Monday morning stormed the plazas of al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem from the Magharebah gate under Israeli police protection.
Jerusalem Endowment Department Media official told Quds Press that Israeli police protected groups of settlers who broke into the courtyards of the Muslims’ holy shrine in the morning hours.
Al-Aqsa Mosque witnesses, on a daily basis, the storming of Israeli settlers who perform Talmudic rituals and desecrate the sanctity of the holy Islamic site.
Israel seeks through such provocations to promote the temporal and spatial division of the Mosque and to systematically Judaize Jerusalem.
Jerusalem Endowment Department Media official told Quds Press that Israeli police protected groups of settlers who broke into the courtyards of the Muslims’ holy shrine in the morning hours.
Al-Aqsa Mosque witnesses, on a daily basis, the storming of Israeli settlers who perform Talmudic rituals and desecrate the sanctity of the holy Islamic site.
Israel seeks through such provocations to promote the temporal and spatial division of the Mosque and to systematically Judaize Jerusalem.
1 july 2018
Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed on Sunday morning Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque—the third holiest site in Islam—via the Maghareba Gate.
A horde of 133 Israeli settlers, escorted by policemen, broke into al-Aqsa Mosque as part of the morning break-in shift and carried out a round of sacrilegious tours.
At the same time, the peaceful Muslim worshipers have been subjected to tough crackdowns and restrictions by the Israeli police near the main entrances to the site. Several worshipers have been searched and dozens more have had their IDs seized while attempting to enter al-Aqsa to perform their daily prayers.
A horde of 133 Israeli settlers, escorted by policemen, broke into al-Aqsa Mosque as part of the morning break-in shift and carried out a round of sacrilegious tours.
At the same time, the peaceful Muslim worshipers have been subjected to tough crackdowns and restrictions by the Israeli police near the main entrances to the site. Several worshipers have been searched and dozens more have had their IDs seized while attempting to enter al-Aqsa to perform their daily prayers.
