Esplanade of Mosques or Temple Mount, holy place for Muslims and Jews respectively. (Photo: PL)
RAMALLAH, April 18 (RHC) – Israeli security forces Monday again stormed the esplanade of mosques in east Jerusalem, where they expelled scores of Palestinian worshipers to allow entry for Jewish settlers.
Tensions in the area have escalated since Friday after soldiers attacked the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is part of this religious complex and is located in the occupied area of the city.
Hundreds of Palestinians were injured or arrested during this crackdown, which was sharply criticized by the Arab and Muslim world.
Israeli police officers entered the esplanade yesterday to evict the Palestinians present there and to protect the entrance of the Jews who wanted to visit the place to celebrate Passover, a holiday which according to their traditions marks the beginning of the exodus of this people.
The same scenes repeated themselves this Monday, as shown by several videos circulating on social networks.
The holy site is revered by both Muslims, who call it the Mosque’s Esplanade, and Jews, who know it as the Temple Mount.
For the former because it houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque, for the latter because the two Biblical temples were built there.
Both the government and various Palestinian parties condemned the attacks by Tel Aviv troops and warned of their consequences.
“We hold the Israeli government responsible for this escalation and we call on the US government to break its silence and stop this aggression that will ignite the region,” said Palestinian Presidential Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina.
Israel occupied the eastern part of the metropolis in the 1967 war and has kept the area under its control ever since, despite UN Security Council resolutions. (Source:PL)