Israeli soldiers out of Aqsa mosque, demands muslim leader

The Jerusalem Mufti (Spiritual leader in Islam) Sheikh Ikermeh Sabri condemned the continued presence of Israeli troops within the Al Aqsa Mosque area saying such a presence is an open provocation to Islam and to Muslims and forms a violation of the sanctity of the mosque, the third holiest shrine in Islam.

The sheikh reiterated demands by the Islamic Supreme Council in Jerusalem that all Israeli soldiers stationed on the compound be removed immediately. Referring to the arrests two days ago of a number of Palestinian Muslim worshipers by Israeli soldiers, Sheikh Sabri said the Israeli authorities have crossed the red line in harassing Muslims while they are on their way for prayers. He said that similar demonstrations by Palestinian notables will take place in the future as well if the Israeli measures against Islamic holy shrines do not come to an end.

Members of the Islamic Supreme Council and of the Palestine Legislative Council and a number of foreign diplomats staged Tuesday a sit-in strike in Al-Aqsa compound calling for the removal of the Israeli troops, who had earlier attacked a number of Al-Aqsa guards and three youths. The Director of Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, Adnan Husseini, said the incident was a flagrant violation of the feelings of Moslems and of the sanctity of the mosque, noting that Israeli soldiers had broken through Al Kattaneen Gate, one of the historical gates to the Al Aqsa compound.

The Israeli police, meanwhile, stressed they would not change any of their standing plans to stay inside the mosque. The chief commander of Jerusalem district police said his men "will not allow the use of the mosque to start a political war." He claimed his policemen were first beaten up by the Palestinian protesters before launching the arrest campaign that triggered the anti-Israel sentiments.