Protests yet to subside as Israel, Turkey spar over iconic mosque
JERUSALEM: A senior Muslim official in Jerusalem on Wednesday said that worshippers would not return to a contested shrine until Israel removes the new railings and cameras it installed after a deadly attack there.
Ikrema Sabri, the head of the Supreme Islamic Committee, said that even after Israel removed metal detectors at the site, more steps were required. He said mass prayer protests would continue until the gates of the compound were opened, metal railings and an iron bridge removed and newly installed cameras taken down.
Israel installed the new security measures earlier this month after Arab gunmen shot and killed two police officers from within the site.
Under intense pressure, it removed the metal detectors and said it planned to install sophisticated security cameras instead.
Turkey also waded into the row, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accusing Israel of inflicting damage on Jerusalem’s “Islamic character”. He also said Turkey “cannot tolerate” constraints placed on Muslims visiting the site during Friday prayers.
Israel’s foreign ministry responded swiftly with a stern statement denouncing the Turkish government and accusing it of behaving as though the Ottoman Empire still existed.