Controversial Israeli Proposal to Divide Masjid Al-Aqsa for Jews and Muslims Sparks Criticism

Jakarta –

Israeli lawmakers proposed dividing the complex Masjid Al-Aqsa for Jews and Muslims. The controversial proposal drew criticism and was rejected by the Palestinians.

Reported by Middle East Eye, Wednesday (14/6/2023), the controversial proposal was submitted by a member of the Israeli parliament from the Likud Party, Amit Halevi. The Likud party is the party that houses Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu. Halevi made the controversial suggestion in an interview with the Hebrew language newspaper Zeman Israel.

Halevi proposed giving Muslims about 30 percent of the southern portion of the holy compound, while the rest would go to Jews, including the area where the Dome of the Rock is located.

About Al-Aqsa Complex

Complex Masjid Al-Aqsa spans 14 hectares. The complex, which includes the Dome of the Rock as well as several prayer halls, the silver-domed al-Qibli, is Islam’s holiest site where unsolicited visits, prayers and rituals by non-Muslims are prohibited, according to a long-standing international agreement.

Meanwhile, the hill which is the location of the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex is also known by Jews as the Temple Mount. It is believed to be the location where two ancient Jewish temples once stood.

The controversial proposal came after an increase in acts of Jewish settlers, especially from right-wing circles, infiltrating the holy compound. There have also been repeated violations of existing agreements over the use of the holy site by Israeli forces.

Since Israel occupied East Jerusalem, including the Old City where it is located Masjid Al-Aqsa, back in 1967, ultra-nationalist Israeli groups pushed to impose ‘complete sovereignty’ over the holy site. This sparked fears that the Palestinian and Islamic nature of the site would be changed.

Israel’s control of East Jerusalem violates a number of principles under international law, which stipulate that an occupying power does not have sovereignty over the territory it occupies and cannot make permanent changes there.

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(lir/lir)