Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem closed, called a ‘Declaration of War’ by Abbas
The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem has been closed to all worshipers for the first time since 1967. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas called the closure a ‘declaration of war.’
photo Ron Almo
Both Jewish and Muslim worshipers will be prohibited from visiting the site “until further notice,” Israel’s public security minister said. Following the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered “a significant hike” in the number of police forces patrolling Jerusalem, Naharnet daily reports.
10s of occupation soldiers lock down masjed AlAqsa and now I’m the streets of Jerusalem.. Pic by @Alaqsasoldier pic.twitter.com/qXbhVsQfnt – — Abbas Sarsour (@iFalasteen) October 30, 2014
Palestinian authorities quickly responded to the move, saying it was a “dangerous and blatant challenge” that would lead to more tension and instability in an already volatile situation.
“This dangerous Israeli escalation is a declaration of war on the Palestinian people and its sacred places and on the Arab and Islamic nation,” Abbas’ spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina quoted him as saying.
Fajer prayer in the streets of AlQuds after Israeli forces locked down masjed AlAqsa this morning. #Palestinepic.twitter.com/jpoR8CIR4J – — Mehreen Syed (@iMehreenSyed) October 30, 2014
“We hold the Israeli government responsible for this dangerous escalation in Jerusalem that has reached its peak through the closure of the Al-Aqsa mosque this morning,” he told AFP.
He added that the state of Palestinian would employ all legal means to “hold Israel accountable” and put an end to “these ongoing attacks.”
Omar Al-Kiswani, director of Al-Aqsa Mosque, told RT the decision to close the site was very dangerous and irrational, saying it would lead to destabilization and a strengthening of tensions not only in Jerusalem, but in the entire region. He said the situation in Jerusalem has been turbulent as a result of the closure.
Morning prayers at Masjid Al-Aqsa. Israel only allowed 7 people to pray today. Muslim world needs to wake up. pic.twitter.com/CjqqLnZgWE – عمر فلسطين (@WeTeachLifeSir_) October 30, 2014
“We lay responsibility for this decision on the Israeli government and police,” Al-Kiswani said.
The closure of Al-Aqsa, Islam’s third holiest site, followed the shooting of a right-wing Jewish activist, Yehuda Glick, on Wednesday. Glick had advocated for greater Jewish access to the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism where Al-Aqsa sits, along with the much revered Dome of the Rock.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is known as the Temple Mount to Christians. The holy site has lately been the scene of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police. Crowds of Palestinian men and boys lit small fires used rubbish skips on Thursday.
