Follow us on
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home » World
Jewish settlers storm Al-Aqsa compound to mark Sukkot, Israeli forces provide support

Tuesday October 10, 2017 8:01 PM, IINA

Al Aqsa Live
[Muslims are in charge of administering the compound, home to the Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock mosques. (AP Photo)]

Jerusalem:
Hundreds of Jewish settlers forced their way into Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Tuesday to mark the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, a Palestinian official said.

Firas al-Dibs, a spokesman for the Jordan-run Jerusalem Islamic Waqif, which is responsible for overseeing the city's Islamic sites, said a total of 537 settlers, backed by Israeli police, have stormed the complex since morning.

According to al-Dibs, Jewish groups have called on supporters to converge on Al-Aqsa compound this week to mark Sukkot, a week-long holiday, which started on Wednesday and will continue until Sunday.

The site has been at the center of tensions in July since Israel installed and then removed, metal detectors at the mosque following the deadly shooting of two Israeli police officers.

Muslims are in charge of administering the compound, home to the Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock mosques. Jews can visit the site but are not allowed to pray there.

Anger has spilled across the West Bank since Israel shut Al-Aqsa Mosque compound following a deadly shootout on July 14.

The site is venerated by Muslims as Haram al-Sharif, or the Noble Sanctuary, as well as the Jews, who call it the Temple Mount. The mosque was reopened after two days, with Israel installing metal detectors and cameras at its gates.

Protests and deadly unrest erupted in the days after the measures were installed, with clashes breaking out around the compound in Jerusalem's Old City, in the occupied West Bank, and in the Gaza Strip.

Seven Palestinians were killed as a result of the clashes, with dozens more wounded. Three Israelis were also killed in an attack in a settlement on the West Bank, Turkish media reported.

Despite calls from the Islamic world not to offend worshipers and return to the status quo, Israel refused to remove the metal detectors installed at the gates of the mosque, claiming the security measures were similar to procedures taken at other holy sites around the world.

However, amid international criticism and pressure, Israel's Security Cabinet decided to remove the metal detectors.

A statement released after the meeting said a new surveillance system using "smart checks" based on advanced technology would be put in place.

For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site. Jews, for their part, refer to the area as the "Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem where Al-Aqsa is located during 1967. It formally annexed the entire city in 1980, claiming it as its capital a move never recognized by the international community.



Share this page
More Headlines
Website credits Amit Shah's political stature for son Jay Shah's rise, faces defamation suit
Wild speculations about whether Qatar will be able to host 2022 World Cup
What is yawning? Why is it so contagious? Explore the answers here
Sun Valley doctors conduct media clinic at Guwahati Press Club
BJP, RSS Declare Holy War Against Kerala
Orthorexia: When ‘healthy eating’ ends up making you sick
Hajj 2018: Panel proposes women above 45 be allowed to perform Hajj without Mahram
Odisha OTET 2017 Answer Keys released, Click here to download
Dealers want petrol, diesel under GST, revocation of daily price change; call strike on Oct 13
More iPhone 8 Plus handsets 'burst open', Apple announces probe
Woman gangraped in Muzaffarnagar as her infant son cried, helpless husband watched
GST rate on 27 items including synthetic yarn of different types used in textiles reduced
Neurons to blame if your are sleeping during lectures, important meetings
Protests at Jantar Mantar Banned - Noise Pollution or Pollution of Democratic Freedom?
Istanbul is Turkey's export champion and a major tourist hub
'Secret Superstar' is a 'step in right direction' towards gender equality: Aamir Khan
Drug Alert: More than half of new cancer medicines may not work
SC appoints lawyer to see if re-investigation of Mahatma Gandhi’s murder feasible
CPAT 2017 Official Answer Key to be released shortly, Challenge before Oct 8
IBPS RRB Officer Scale 1 Preliminary Exam 2017 result to be released shortly
Taking 'breaks' in your diet regime may help you lose more weight

 Post Comments
Note: By posting your comments here you agree to the terms and conditions of www.ummid.com