Meshaal: “Israel” plans to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque

Meshaal: Israel plans to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque

Mon, 26 Oct 2009, Press TV

A senior Hamas leader has warned that Israel plans to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Al-Quds to build a new temple in its place.

On Sunday, the mosque compound was the scene of violent clashes for the second time in recent weeks after Israeli police invaded the compound and arrested 12 Arab worshippers.

“It is the first step towards dividing the mosque, a prelude to demolishing it and building a temple in its place,” said Hamas political leader Khalid Meshaal in a speech in Damascus.

“Jerusalem belongs to its Arab inhabitants, Muslims and Christians. The future (of the city) will not be settled at the negotiating table, but on the ground of confrontation and resistance,” AFP quoted Meshaal as saying.

The Organization for Human Rights on the Temple Mount (OHRTM), a rightist Israeli group, in a meeting on Sunday had called for a new temple to be built in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

The conference was attended by a number of Knesset members and leading rabbis, Ynet news reported.

Tensions have been high over the past month and the compound has been the scene of fighting after Israeli extremists, backed by Israel’s police force, tried to enter the mosque and clashed with Palestinian worshipers.

Israeli police also denied Palestinians access to the mosque compound for a period of several days.

The blockade was followed by demonstrations in numerous Middle Eastern countries including Iran and Turkey, which resulted in the re-opening of the mosque two weeks ago.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference has also warned Israel of “dangerous consequences” for acts of sacrilege in the holy Al-Aqsa mosque compound.

Syria: Israel Wants to Destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque

Al Manar

26/10/2009 The Syrian Foreign Ministry has denounced Israel’s “blatant violation of the sanctity of al-Aqsa Mosque,” following the recent wave of Israeli violence in occupied Jerusalem.

In an official statement released Monday, the ministry said that “(Damascus) believes the Israeli security forces’ invasion of al-Aqsa was part of Israel’s scheme to Judaize Jerusalem and destroy the mosque.”

A Syrian news agency further quoted the official as saying Israel’s actions were “a crime against Arab history and heritage and against Muslims’ holy places.” The official expressed his support and gratitude to the “brave men” who rallied to the compound’s defense, and urged the international community to denounce Israel’s actions.

Syria’s censure joins that of Jordan: On Sunday, Amman urged Israel to prevent both security forces and extreme rightists from entering the Al-Aqsa compound. The Hashemite Kingdom’s State-run news agency warned Tel Aviv that such “provocations” were hazardous to the so-called peace process.