A protest in Al-Aqsa to condemn the Settlers’ raids and Muslims prevention
Dozens of Jerusalemites protested on Friday in Al-Aqsa to condemn its desecration by the settlers while celebrating the occupation of Jerusalem. The march started after the Friday prayer was over and initiated from the yards of Alqibli Mosque towards the surface area of the Dome of the Rock and passed through a number of the Mosque’s yards holding the Qur’an in their hands as well as Palestinian flags and “No God but Allah” and “Right to Return” banners. The participants chanted to support Al-Aqsa and drew their greetings to the prisoners in Israeli jails who have sacrificed their freedom for the dignity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and chanted slogans against the settlers. The occupation forces increased their presence on the door of Al-Aqsa Mosque since Friday’s morning and checked the identifications of several young men. Thousands of Jerusalemites and Palestinians from inside the green line performed the Friday prayer in Al-Aqsa Mosque. Sheikh Youssef Abu Sneineh condemned in his Friday speech the Israeli procedures that were taken this week in Al-Aqsa as the youth and the Aqsa students (Marabouts) were prevented from entering, while the settlers were allowed to raid it, insisting that this is against the freedom of worship and movement and is a violation of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa. He also condemned the arrest of the Jerusalem and Palestine Mufti and detaining and investigating him for several hours. Sheikh Abu Sneineh called for continuation of permanent presence in Al-Aqsa in order to protect and maintain it insisting that it is an Islamic Mosque. It is noteworthy that the occupation forces prevented on Tuesday and Wednesday the entry of young people under the age of 50 years to Al-Aqsa as well as all women, at a time when 300 settlers were allowed to raid Al-Aqsa and some of them practiced some religious rituals in its yards. It was also raided by the Special Forces on Tuesday which arrested two young men after severely assaulting and hitting them; clashes using hands occurred between the youths and the Israeli forces on most of Al-Aqsa’s doors in the days of prevention.
