Al-Azhar Mufti, Pope Shenuda: Rights are not restored by verbal slogans

Sheikh al-Azhar Mosque Sayed Tantawi branded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a fool who does not know what he is doing.

He indicated that Netanyahu will bring the region to the verge of violence and destruction. In a statement published on Wednesday by the Jordanian daily al-Arab al-Youm (Arab today) Sheikh Tantawi called for mobilizing all Arab and Islamic efforts to liberate all occupied Arab lands and Arab holy shrines. He added that fighting Israel is a duty that must be undertaken in defense of usurped Arab rights and lands.

In a similar interview with the Jordanian daily Pope Shenuda III, the Pope of Alexandria said that visiting Jerusalem is forbidden as long as it remains under Israeli occupation.

Pope Shenuda called for taking positive action. He warned against relying on mere verbal slogans and condemnation, as means of liberating occupied Jerusalem.