Fundamental Jewish groups increased their attacks in Jerusalem

Thursday January 17, 2008 21:44 by IMEMC Staff

Local sources in Jerusalem reported that Israeli military bulldozers, and fundamental Jewish groups increased their attacks against the Palestinian areas in Jerusalem and started on Thursday to dig a street which leads to several buildings which were illegally seized by the groups two days ago. The buildings are located in areas that surround the Al Aqsa Mosque in the Old City.

Armed Israeli sodliers walking in the vacinity of the Al aqsa Mosque

Eyewitnesses reported that the groups bulldozed a wall that surrounds 5000 Dunams of land which was illegally annexed by the settlers on Wednesday. The fundamental groups also occupied several Palestinian homes after claiming that they purchased the constructions.

Dozens of Jerusalemite Palestinians clashed with the settlers and managed to stop the bulldozers after obtaining a court order form the Israeli High Court of Justice.

Experts in Lands and Settlements stated that the illegal seizure of the homes and the lands in Al Mughrabi Gate area, and Wadi Hilwa area in East Jerusalem comes in conjunction with the Israeli attempts to expand the illegal settlement of Ras Al Amoud which overlooks the Al Aqsa Mosque.

Israel is also conducting excavations in the same area and digging tunnels which will lead to the Old City and the Western Wall.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement in Israel, called on the Arab and Muslim countries to intervene and protect Jerusalem and the Al Aqsa Mosque from the ongoing Israeli violations.

Sheikh Salah stated on Thursday that “what is happening in Jerusalem is a serious issue”, and added that the occupation forces demolished the Al Mughrabi Road and are attempting to build a bridge which will lead to the Al Aqsa. The bridge is not meant to be used by Arabs and Palestinians.

Sheikh Salah also said that the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, approved a project which aims at constructing a Synagogue on one of the essential parts of the Al Aqsa Mosque known to the Muslims as the “Court”.

He called on the Palestinians to unite and to renew the internal talks in order to create a united Palestinian front that stands strong in resisting the Israeli violations against the people and the holy sites.

jerusalem | holy sites | news report saed at imemc dot org