Palestine condemns Israel’s approval of Jewish prayer site at Al-Aqsa’s western wall

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Tuesday 02 Feb 2016 - 12:53 Makkah mean time-23-4-1437 (Image from Anadolu Agency) Ramallah, (IINA) - Palestine’s Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs Yousef Ide'es condemned on Monday the Israeli cabinet’s approval of a mixed Jewish male-female prayer area at East Jerusalem’s Western Wall as an attempt to change the status quo, WAFA reported. The Israeli cabinet has approved a plan to allocate an area for mixed-gender Jewish prayer area at the Western Wall, known for Muslims as Al-Buraq Wall, and has earmarked $10 million for this purpose. Speaking at a press conference, Ide'es stated that this Israeli dangerous scheme constitutes an attempt to change the status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and demonstrates the ongoing obliteration of the Palestinian cultural identity of Jerusalem. He stressed that Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, including its buildings, courtyards, doors and walls belong to Muslims, adding that the Israeli cabinet’s approval of the prayer area is a step that reinforces the reality of Israeli occupation and Judaization of Jerusalem through the forceful displacement of indigenous occupants of the city. He also stressed that the Western Wall is an integral part of the mosque compound and referred to Israel’s demolition of Jerusalem’s 800-year-old Mughrabi Quarter that was replaced by the Western Wall plaza in June 1967. He held the Israeli cabinet fully responsible for the possible disastrous consequences of this approval and called upon Arabs and Muslims worldwide to protect the mosque compound. Meanwhile, The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Muhammad Hasanain decried Israel’s prevention of the renovation of some terraces near the mosque’s Al-Silsila Gate. Earlier Monday, Israeli police prevented the Islamic Endowment Department’s reconstruction committee from renovating some terraces near the gate. Police troops reportedly cordoned off the renovation scene and prevented the staff from carrying out their work, forcing them out of the area. Hasanain slammed the Israeli occupation authorities for meddling in the affairs of the Palestinian Islamic and Christian holy sites and described the police intervention as “aggressive” and “grave”. The site is home to the third most sacred mosque in Islam, and it houses Al-Aqsa Mosque Building and the Dome of the Rock. Since early October 2015, the Palestinian territories, Gaza, and Israel have been witnessing increasing violence; fueled by Israel’s growing attempts to divide the mosque between Muslims and Jews. Since then, at least 165 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces’ fire. AG/IINA