October 25, 2009

Israeli police invade al-Aqsa Mosque again

Press TV - October 25, 2009 07:12:58 GMT

Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

Israeli police have invaded the al-Aqsa mosque for the second time in recent weeks, which has prompted clashes with Arab worshippers, Israeli and Palestinian officials have said.

Hundreds of Israeli forces have been deployed to seal off the compound confining hundreds of worshippers inside the holy mosque.

Israeli Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said 12 arrests were made in and around the compound.

Reports say police threw stun grenades and canisters at worshippers, injuring at least fifteen Palestinians.

Rosenfeld however claimed that Arab youth prompted the clashes after throwing stones and a petrol bomb at Israeli police.

Over the past month, tensions have been high and the compound has been the scene of fighting after Israeli extremist tried to enter the mosque and clashed with Palestinian worshipers.

Israeli police denied Palestinian access to the mosque compound for several days.

The blockade was followed by demonstrations across the Middle East which resulted in the re-opening of the mosque two weeks ago.

The al-Aqsa foundation, in a press release earlier this week, has declared that Israeli fundamentalist groups are calling on their supporters to break into the al-Aqsa Mosque in the old city of Jerusalem (al-Quds).

The foundation had revealed that radical Israeli groups are planning a ceremony on Sunday evening, dedicated to the "Temple Mount" day, during which they would call for breaking into the al-Aqsa Mosque.

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah has earlier this month called on Islamic nations to support the al-Aqsa Mosque.

"Islamic nations should fulfill their moral and religious duties to support al-Aqsa Mosque," Haniya had said.

"The real al-Aqsa Mosque fight has started and Arab and Islamic nations should feel responsible for what's going on," he added.

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