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| Al-Aqsa Mosque is witnessing escalating tensions between Israelis and Palestinians during an important holy month for both sides. (Source: Anadolu) |
According to the Times of Israel , since Passover began, a continuous stream of Jews have visited the Al-Aqsa temple area, with about 1,000 people.
On the morning of April 9 alone, 842 Israeli settlers flocked to the Al-Aqsa temple area under strict protection of Israeli police.
For Muslims, Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site. In contrast, Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount, claiming it as the site of their two ancient temples.
According to long-standing convention, Jews are allowed to visit the temple complex but are not allowed to pray there.
In that context, on the same day, Jordan - the country responsible for managing the holy sites in Jerusalem - condemned the influx of Jews to the Al-Aqsa temple area.
Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Sinan Majali said: “The Israeli police’s violation of the sacredness of Al Aqsa Mosque and their repeated attacks on Muslims in order to drive them away in preparation for a large Jewish visit will push the situation into a more tense and violent state and all sides will pay the price.”
Violence has escalated across the Palestinian territories after Israeli police violently drove Muslim worshippers away from the Al-Aqsa mosque compound.
The raids by Israeli security forces on the shrine led to rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon into the Jewish state, followed by Israeli retaliation.
On the same day, Palestine warned that Israel's provocative actions would turn the Al Aqsa mosque area into a battlefield.
"Daily attacks on holy sites and Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan are unacceptable and condemnable, putting the region in a fiery crisis," Palestinian government spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh was quoted as saying by Anadolu news agency.
According to Mr. Rudeineh, Israel is trying to challenge the will of the Palestinian people, but "we will continue to defend our land and holy sites at any cost."
Previously, on April 6, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his country has no intention of changing the status quo at Al-Aqsa mosque and will take strong measures against extremists who use violence.
In addition, according to Mr. Netanyahu, Israelis will continue to unite to deal with external threats despite differences in political stance.
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