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After Arab-Israeli normalization, Al-Aqsa is in danger of destruction

A general view of the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem al-Quds below the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, July 1, 2020 (AP Photo)

By Wafaa Al-Udaini

 

Following the signing of the normalization agreements with Israel, brokered by the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco have witnessed the rapid increase in the demolishing of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem (al-Quds). The home demolitions also coupled with an increase in deportations of Palestinians from the city, expulsion from al-Aqsa Mosque and the daily storming of al-Aqsa Mosque compound by hundreds of Jewish Israeli settlers.

Most of the violations and settler incursions are on the al-Aqsa ‘Gate of Mercy’ towards the eastern region of al-Aqsa Mosque, which constitutes one-third of the area of the al-Aqsa compound. The aim of the settlers is to establish a huge synagogue that is entered from the door of Al-Rahma after the seizure of part of the Bab Al-Rahma cemetery and part of the Yusufiya cemetery that houses the graves of the Jordanian army martyrs and scholars.

Bab al-Rahma cemetery is planned to be re-constructed into a Talmudic garden and “biblical paths”, so that the entire area is linked with the seized Umayyad palaces in the direction of the Al-Burag or Wailing Wall. The plan also includes the excavation of concrete bases for thirteen columns, with a height of 26 meters, in order to form a path for the flying “cable car” which will be used to bring Talmudic groups, Biblical groups and tourists in large numbers.

This cable car will enable the monitoring of movement and all other happenings taking place inside al-Aqsa Mosque, in addition, to change the overall scene and to cover and block the domes of al-Aqsa Mosque.

Large numbers of Talmudic and biblical synagogues and buildings have been erected around al-Aqsa Mosque, perhaps the largest of which is the establishment of the Judaization project named "the jewel of Israel", which aims to expand synagogue, sitting on an ‘Islamic endowment’ land and a historical Islamic building, taking up an area of 1400 meters. Building two floors underground and four floors above the ground, 23 meters high from the street, at a cost of 48 million Israeli Shekels, are all actions which may lead to a radical change in the status quo of Occupied Jerusalem (al-Quds) and it may have far-reaching and potentially explosive ramifications.

The Abraham Accords embedded with dangerous terms

The normalization agreements that have taken place in recent months fall within the framework of the Abraham Agreement. This agreement fundamentally adopts the religious Zionist narrative with all its components, with regards to Jerusalem (al-Quds) and al-Aqsa Mosque, and thus creating conditions under which Israeli control over al-Aqsa Mosque can be established.

Trump had stated on the agreement that “‘The Abraham Accords’ also opens the door for Muslims around the world to visit the historic sites in Israel and to peacefully pray at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam.”

Shua'eb Abu Snaina, ‘Al-Quds International Institution’ coordinator, explained that al-Aqsa Mosque (which is exclusively for Muslims, with its known area of 144 dunums) is only the "al-Qibli Mosque" (with the lead dome), which is the Islamic sanctuary, while the rest of the squares, terraces, domes and schools are "other religious places" are open to all religions.

The provisions of the agreement also include "restricting Muslim prayer on the condition that it is only for the peaceful ones, who will be allowed to pray. As for the rest of the religions, they do not have this condition.”

Abu Snaina further added that this clause "will restrict the entry of Muslims, so that the Israeli occupation authorities have the right to monitor Muslims' behaviour in al-Aqsa Mosque, so the issue of their deportation becomes legitimate, as well as their arrest if the Israeli authorities deem it necessary."

According to the accords of the United Nations, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, East Jerusalem (al-Quds), where al-Aqsa Mosque is located, is an occupied Palestinian Arab city and an integral part of the lands that Israel occupied in 1967.

Arabs invading al-Aqsa Mosque?

Several Emirati and Bahraini delegations visited al-Aqsa Mosque following the normalization deal. They entered Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under the protection of the Israeli forces, through Almaghariba gate, which only the occupation authorities have keys to.

Khaled Hamada, 66 years of age, from Jerusalem (al-Quds) says to us that those who normalize with Israel help in oppressing us more so they are not welcome here. He added that they were considered invaders of al-Aqsa Mosque like the Israeli settlers.

The occupation seeks to use the entry of Arabs from Almaghariba gate as a title to give legitimacy to Judaizing Al-Aqsa Mosque as approved by the ‘Deal of the Century’, and as approved by the Abraham Agreement as well.

The Jordanian Islamic Waqf has been in charge of the holy site, since 1967, while Israel oversees external security. Non-Muslims are only allowed to visit the compound during specified hours and are not allowed to pray there.

(The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Press TV.)


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