Palestinians elated as Israel opens mosque gates
JERUSALEM: Israeli forces dismantled security measures installed at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem late on Wednesday and reopened all the gates to the compound yesterday afternoon.
It was celebrated as a victory by Palestinian Jerusalemites as Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian religious leaders said prayers could now resume at the compound.
Following worshippers’ elation on Wednesday night, tensions re-emerged yesterday afternoon after Israeli forces reportedly prevented al-Aqsa security guards from reopening one of the gates to the compound, as Palestinians said they would continue boycotting the compound until all entrances to al-Aqsa were opened.
However, the last gate of the compound was opened later in the afternoon, prompting thousands to enter the compound for the first time in two weeks.
Following a deadly shooting at al-Aqsa in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem on July 14, Israeli authorities installed heightened security measures at the mosque, sparking a widespread civil disobedience campaign among local Palestinians, who have been met with strong repression at the hands of Israeli forces.
Palestinians said the Israeli move was a means of furthering control over important sites in the occupied Palestinian territory and normalising repressive measures against Palestinians.
The Israeli security cabinet decided on Monday night to remove the recently installed metal detectors at al-Aqsa, only to replace them with more advanced surveillance technology in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem – a move denounced by Knesset member and Palestinian citizen of Israel Jamal Zahalqa as “a new provocation”.
Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said yesterday that the metal detectors and security cameras set up since July 14 “have been removed and dismantled”, adding that additional police units were deployed around the Old City.
The decision came after Palestinian factions called for prayers and protests today. – Ma’an