Zionist Regime Planning to Destroy al-Aqsa: Palestinian Leader
WEST BANK (Dispatches) – The Zionist regime is planning to raze the sacred al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied Old City of East al-Quds to the ground, the leader of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement, Sheikh Raed Salah, has warned.
Speaking at an online seminar organized by the al-Quds Commission of the Ankara Civil Society Platform (ACSP), Sheikh Salah said that the occupying regime’s schemes started with the occupation of the holy city back in June 1967, and the first assault on the al-Aqsa Mosque compound took place shortly afterwards.
"There is a consensus [among all political parties within the Zionist regime] on maintaining the occupation of the city in an attempt to isolate al-Aqsa Mosque and then destroy it,” Sheikh Salah pointed out.
The Palestinian official further noted that the occupying regime’s assaults have continued on a regular basis ever since, and are now characterized by settlers – guarded by the regime’s police – who break into the compound to perform acts deemed provocative by Palestinians.
"Whatever the cost will be, we won’t cease defending al-Aqsa Mosque,” he said.
He said Palestinians have stood with steadfastness against all plots by the occupying regime, stressing the need for awareness-raising in the Muslim world to keep people abreast of what is happening in occupied al-Quds and the al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
The al-Aqsa Mosque compound sits just above the Western Wall Plaza and houses both the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosque.
Palestinians have repeatedly warned of attempts by the occupying regime to change the status quo of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam.
Speaking at an online seminar organized by the al-Quds Commission of the Ankara Civil Society Platform (ACSP), Sheikh Salah said that the occupying regime’s schemes started with the occupation of the holy city back in June 1967, and the first assault on the al-Aqsa Mosque compound took place shortly afterwards.
"There is a consensus [among all political parties within the Zionist regime] on maintaining the occupation of the city in an attempt to isolate al-Aqsa Mosque and then destroy it,” Sheikh Salah pointed out.
The Palestinian official further noted that the occupying regime’s assaults have continued on a regular basis ever since, and are now characterized by settlers – guarded by the regime’s police – who break into the compound to perform acts deemed provocative by Palestinians.
"Whatever the cost will be, we won’t cease defending al-Aqsa Mosque,” he said.
He said Palestinians have stood with steadfastness against all plots by the occupying regime, stressing the need for awareness-raising in the Muslim world to keep people abreast of what is happening in occupied al-Quds and the al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
The al-Aqsa Mosque compound sits just above the Western Wall Plaza and houses both the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosque.
Palestinians have repeatedly warned of attempts by the occupying regime to change the status quo of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam.