The Israeli government has quietly allowed Jews to hold prayers at theAl-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, a move that posesthreat to the site’s status quo.
The Jews are being let to pray at the site, also known to Jews as theTemple Mount, under the protection of Israeli police and army, in clearviolation of a longstanding compromise aimed at staving off any conflict atthe flashpoint.
Traditionally, Jews or non-Muslim are only allowed to visit the compoundduring specific hours, but they would not be allowed to conduct anyprayers. The Western Wall below is specific for Jews to hold prayers.
Israel captured Jerusalem’s walled Old City and part of the territory in a1967 Middle East war. It occupied East Jerusalem in 1980 in a step that wasnever recognized by the international community.
Since 1967, Israel had agreed to an agreement under which the al-Aqsacompound to be governed by the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, which is controlledby Jordan, while external security of the site will be handled by Israeliforces.
Jerusalem Islamic Waqf’s top official Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani has termed thehappenings as a dangerous violation of the status quo. He said that theIsraeli forces must stop protecting extremists.
The site, which is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, was segregated betweenthe worshippers of both sides in 1994, after a US-born Israeli settlerentered Al Aqsa Mosque compound and killed at least 29 Muslim worshipers.
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Such moves by Israel could trigger violence in the compound, which recentlywitnessed major violence in May this year when occupant forces raided themosque and attacked worshippers.
Meanwhile, a Palestinian has succumbed to injuries received during weekendclashes with Israeli forces on the Gaza border.
Reports said that dozens of Palestinians were injured during the clashesand 32-year-old Osama Khaled Deaih died after being shot by Israeli forces.
The protests come three months after a truce ended 11 days of conflictbetween Hamas and Israel.
