(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Worshippers were assaulted and the sanctity of the holy place was defiled during the intrusion by the Israeli forces.
UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan has condemned Wednesday’s barbaric intrusion by Israeli special forces into Al Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem to make way for Jewish visitors on the occasion of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. Worshippers were assaulted and the sanctity of the holy place was defiled during the intrusion by the Israeli forces.
Shaikh Abdullah said that Israel’s plans to designate Bab Al Qataneen gate into Al Aqsa compound as a point of entry for Jewish extremists to bring in a replica of the long-va-ished Jewish temple could ex-acerbate the situation.
Shaikh Abdullah deplored the reprehensible crime of the Israeli occupation forces in firing bullets and bombs inside Al Aqsa compound causing injury to dozens of worshippers.
“The UAE views this as a serious step taken as part of the plan to Judaise Al Aqsa Mosque — the first of the two Qiblas and the third holiest Muslim shrine in Arab Jerusalem with its Muslim and Christian holy places — by continuous attempts that are unacceptable to anybody to divide it in terms of time and the structure as has been done with the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron” he said.
Shaikh Abdullah warned that the current measures open another door for tension and violence fomenting religious sentiments and provoking Muslims and advocates for peace and security throughout the world.
“This is yet another clear proof of the extremist nature of the leadership of the Israeli Government which is evident in its obstruction of and procrastination in bringing about a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian issue.”
Shaikh Abdullah said: “The practices of the Israeli government and its occupying forces witnessed over the past months and years to change the Islamic nature of the site are a flagrant and systematic insult to the sentiments and principles of millions of Muslims around the world.”
“Such practices are poised to detonate the already pent-up and explosive situation as a result of the continued Israeli occupation and the blatant violation of the Islamic holy places.”
Shaikh Abdullah concluded his statement by saying “We as civilised societies are confronting the extremism of and danger of Daesh (ISIS) and we should at the same time stand firmly and forcefully against Israeli extremism which provokes Muslims and desecrates the sanctity of their holy places.”