Israel Plans to Destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque-Defend Al-Aqsa

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Edited by: Elias Farhud

Although the situation is similar to the time before the beginning of the second intifada, the world is continuing to ignore the Palestinian voices which are demanding from the International community to interfere and stop the Israeli hostilities on both the holy places and the Palestinian people.

Defend Al-Aqsa’: Haniyeh

10/26/2009

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has urged Arab and Muslim leaders to take practical steps to end the Israeli assaults on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem (al-Quds).

On Sunday, Haniyeh, who is the democratically elected prime minister of Palestine, asked Organization of the Islamic Conference Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu to arrange for an emergency meeting of the OIC to discuss the attacks on Islam’s third holiest shrine.

He also called on Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, Qatari Emir Hamad bin Khalifa, and Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud al-Faysal to take practical steps to protect Al-Aqsa.

Following the deployment of hundreds of security forces by Israel in and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque early on Sunday, clashes broke out between the Palestinians and the Israeli forces. At least 30 Palestinians were injured and 20 arrested.

“It was the first time the Israeli army locked the gates of the mosque with chains, barring the call to prayer, breaking into its yards for long periods of time,” Hamas Political Bureau chief Khaled Mashaal said in remarks denouncing the Israeli attack.

(Press TV)

Meshaal: Israel Plans to Destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque

10/26/2009

A senior Hamas leader has warned that Israel plans to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Al-Quds to build a new temple in its place.

On Sunday, the mosque compound was the scene of violent clashes for the second time in recent weeks after Israeli police invaded the compound and arrested 12 Arab worshippers.

“It is the first step towards dividing the mosque, a prelude to demolishing it and building a temple in its place,” said Hamas political leader Khalid Meshaal in a speech in Damascus.

“Jerusalem belongs to its Arab inhabitants, Muslims and Christians. The future (of the city) will not be settled at the negotiating table, but on the ground of confrontation and resistance,” AFP quoted Meshaal as saying.

The Organization for Human Rights on the Temple Mount (OHRTM), a rightist Israeli group, in a meeting on Sunday had called for a new temple to be built in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

The conference was attended by a number of Knesset members and leading rabbis, Ynet news reported.

Tensions have been high over the past month and the compound has been the scene of fighting after Israeli extremists, backed by Israel’s police force, tried to enter the mosque and clashed with Palestinian worshipers.

Israeli police also denied Palestinians access to the mosque compound for a period of several days.

The blockade was followed by demonstrations in numerous Middle Eastern countries including Iran and Turkey, which resulted in the re-opening of the mosque two weeks ago.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference has also warned Israel of “dangerous consequences” for acts of sacrilege in the holy Al-Aqsa mosque compound.

/ Press TV

October 27, 2009 - Posted by Elias