loading…
Al-Aqsa mosque complex. FOTO/Anadolu Agency
The extremist Israel Returning to the Mount organization, which promotes the entry of Jews into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, sparked concern among security officials, who warned that their actions could spark violence at the Muslim holy site.
Read: Miss Universe Thailand Visits Al-Aqsa, Triggers Palestinian Anger
Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in the world for Muslims. The Jews called the area “Temple Mountain”. They also claim that it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.
Raphael Morris, head of the group Returning to the Mount, told Channel 13 the group emphasized appearing like Arabs so as not to arouse the suspicion of the custodians of Al-Aqsa Mosque or the Jordan-run Department of Islamic Endowments, which oversees Jerusalem’s holy sites.
Yisrael, an instructor, is shown in footage broadcast by Channel 13 teaching extreme members of the group how to perform Muslim prayer positions, while secretly reciting the Jewish liturgy.
Read: Jerusalem Church Head Condemns Israeli Decision to Allow Jews to Pray in Al-Aqsa Mosque
“Our vision is to be able to go to the Temple Mount any time of the day, and ultimately also succeed in building the Temple and restoring the sacrificial services,” Morris said, as quoted by the Middle East Monitor, Tuesday (14/12/2021).
Morris insisted that he acted “openly” and that his actions were legal. “The fact that the state doesn’t like it doesn’t mean it’s illegal,” Morris said.
Since 2003, Israel has allowed settlers into the compound on an almost daily basis. Dozens of Israeli Jews storm the grounds of Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Mughrabi Gate every day, under the protection of the Israeli occupation police, and go on provocative tours, as well as perform Talmudic prayers.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. Israel annexed the entire city in 1980, a move never recognized by the international community.
(esn)
– .
