Removal of Al Aqsa metal detectors a ‘small victory’

Israel’s removal of metal detectors and security cameras from Al Aqsa Mosque compound was “a small victory in the long battle for freedom”, the Palestinian foreign minister told the main grouping of the world’s Muslim nations in Istanbul yesterday.

But Riyad Al Malki accused Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to change the longstanding agreement whereby only Muslims are allowed to pray inside the compound, although anyone can visit, including Jews.

“Netanyahu will try again to impose his status quo and we should prepare for the next round, which could come very soon and be very nasty.”

Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu chaired the extraordinary meeting of his counterparts from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which Ankara had called in its current capacity as chair to discuss the crisis in Jerusalem last month.

Turkey has full diplomatic relations with Israel after resolving a crisis in ties last year but president Recep Tayyip Erdogan remains vehemently critical of its policy towards the Palestinians.

The meeting brought together foreign ministers and top officials from key Muslim nations, including Saudi foreign minister Adel Al Jubeir and his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Mr Cavusoglu said it was time Muslim countries started to help the Palestinians “not just with words but with actions”. He said: “We must act to protect the Al Aqsa Mosque and Palestine.” He reaffirmed a call by Mr Erdogan on all Muslims to visit Jerusalem.

The OIC’s Saudi secretary general, Dr Yousef Al Othaimeen, meanwhile, called upon member states, financial institutions, public and private sectors and individuals to provide all forms of assistance to the people of Jerusalem, particularly in sectors such as education, housing and health, according to the state news agency Wam.

Ankara called the extraordinary meeting of the OIC as chair to discuss the crisis in Jerusalem last month