Days of Palestine – Jerusalem
Jewish zealots marking the Jewish holiday of Sukkot continued today their infringement of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem’s old city prompting Palestinians to warn of dire consequences if Israeli attempts to change the status quo at the Muslim holy place continue.
The Palestinian Authority’s Jerusalem Affairs Ministry said in a statement following reports that the zealots flaunted an Israeli flag during their provocative tour of the holy site this morning that “what is happening in Al-Aqsa is a gross and serious violation and an attempt to create a new fait accompli to change the religious and historical status quo that existed there before the Israeli occupation in 1967.”
It said that “the extremist groups deliberately take advantage of Jewish holidays to desecrate (Al-Aqsa) Mosque during their bulk intrusions wearing their religious costume, attempting to perform rituals, lying on the ground, and provoking feelings of Muslims at the mosque, in Jerusalem, and around the world.”
Hundreds of Jewish zealots flocked to Al-Aqsa Mosque during the week-long Sukkot holiday. They are allowed inside the walled compound in groups and escorted by Israeli police who walk them through their tour of the holy site until they leave the area while preventing Palestinians Muslims from interfering with the tour.
The zealots often attempt to preform rituals during the visit, which they use to educate others about turning the Muslim site into a Jewish worship area.
The Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs said these intrusions occur at the time the Jewish zealots call for allowing them to hold prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, considered the third holiest site in Islam, while also calling for destroying the mosque entirely and building a Jewish temple on its location.
It warned that such an act could bring dire consequences with lamentable outcome.
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