CAIRO: Azhar’s Islamic Research Academy warned against threats by Jewish extremists to raid Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, saying that repeated Israeli violations against the holy mosque would trigger “Muslim anger.”
In a Sunday statement, the academy expressed its full solidarity with the “murabeteen;” Palestinians who resist the “Judaization” of Jerusalem and defend Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site for Muslims.
Palestinian protesters burn an Israeli flag during a protest against the Israeli police raid on Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque on Tuesday, in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, September 18, 2015. Israel deployed hundreds of extra police around the Old City of Jerusalem on Friday after Palestinian leaders called for a ‘day of rage’ to protest at new Israeli security measures. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
In a Saturday news conference with Donald Tusk, the president of the European Union Council, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi said the events are “a serious violation of Islamic sanctities, which the international community should realize all Muslims’ commitment to them.”
An Israeli border police points his weapon at Palestinian protesters during clashes following a protest against the Israeli police raid on Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque on Tuesday in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron – REUTERS
“The daily violations witnessed by Al-Aqsa Mosque, whose pace has unprecedentedly increased, create critical circumstances and indicate the Israeli government’s failure to bear its responsibility in accordance with international law,” Sisi added.
“The events witness exacerbate the desperation of Palestinians in light of the lack of a political horizon giving them hope to establish a Palestinian state on all Palestinian national territories with East Jerusalem as its capital,” he continued.
Palestinian throws a stone at Israeli police vehicle during a protest against Israeli police raid on Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque, near Israel’s Ofer Prison near the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah – REUTERS
The Egyptian president urged Israel to be “responsible” and end the tension, warning against consequences “not only over the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, but also the region and the world.”
Almost on yearly basis, radical Jews threat to storm the compound of Al-Aqsa, known by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and Temple Mount by Jews, prompting Muslim public and official reactions as well as protests in East Jerusalem, which was annexed by Israel in 1967, in addition to other Palestinian territories.
However, violence last week reached the extent of raiding al-Qibli Mosque, which lies in the same complex as Al-Aqsa Mosque, by the Israeli police. Dozens of historical windows of the two mosques were shattered several parts of the old carpet were burned.