Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday legal measures would be taken to prevent Jewish settlers from attacking Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound, having said their presence desecrates the site.
His remarks follow days of clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli police, which erupted when right-wing Jewish groups -- including some that call for the destruction of the mosque -- visited the complex and restrictions were imposed on Muslim worship.
"The Palestinian leadership will be taking the necessary legal measures, at the international level, regarding the aggression of settlers on the Al-Aqsa mosque," Abbas said in a speech to the Revolutionary Council of his Fatah party.
"We will not allow settlers to attack the mosque," he added, referring to the entire compound, which is the third holiest site in Islam.
Non-Muslim visits to Al-Aqsa complex are permitted and regulated by police, but as a result of a 1967 agreement, Jews are not allowed to pray at the site for fear it could trigger major disturbances, nor do they enter the mosques there. more
Comments
Post a Comment