Muslims refuse to enter Aqsa site
Israel reopened an ultrasensitive holy site yesterday that was closed after an attack that killed two policemen, but Muslim worshippers were refusing to enter due to new security measures including metal detectors and cameras. Crowds chanted “Allahu Akbar” (God is Greatest) as a number of initial visitors entered Jerusalem’s Haram Al-Sharif compound. The flashpoint holy site includes the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.
Calls to prayer rang out from Al-Aqsa, but dozens of Muslim worshippers held midday prayers outside the site in protest at the new security measures. Around 150 people gathered outside for prayers later in the afternoon. Police said some 200 people entered the compound. “We reject the changes imposed by the Israeli government,” Sheikh Omar Kiswani, Al-Aqsa director, told reporters outside. “We will not enter through these metal detectors.”
Some women wailed and cried while telling people not to enter. Waheeb Liftawi, 52, prayed inside Al-Aqsa at midday without knowing of the calls to remain outside. During prayers later in the afternoon, he prayed outside.
“These things should not be put in front of a place of worship, a mosque,” he said. “This is why we refuse this or this will become the status quo.” Later in the day, a funeral procession sought to enter with a coffin but was not allowed through.
Three Arab Israeli assailants opened fire on Israeli police Friday in Jerusalem’s Old City before fleeing to the compound, where they were shot dead by security forces. Israeli authorities said the gunmen had come from the flashpoint holy site to carry out the attack. It was one of the most serious incidents in Jerusalem in recent years. Israel took the highly unusual decision of closing the Al-Aqsa mosque compound for Friday prayers, triggering anger from Muslims and Jordan, the holy site’s custodian.
The site remained closed on Saturday, while parts of Jerusalem’s Old City were also under lockdown. Israeli authorities said the closure was necessary to carry out security checks and announced they would reopen the compound yesterday. Police said yesterday that so far two gates leading to the holy site had been opened, equipped with metal detectors.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of the security measures late Saturday before departing for a trip to Paris. “This evening I held a discussion with the top security leadership and I instructed that metal detectors be placed at the entrance gates to the Temple Mount,” he said. “We will also install security cameras on poles outside the Temple Mount but which give almost complete control over what goes on there.” — AFP