Abbas urges Israel to stop attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas urged Israel and the international community on Monday to stop Jewish extremist groups from attacking Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem.

In written statements, Abbas considered the extremist Jewish groups' threats as "dangerous practices," urging Israel to prevent a possible Israeli-Arab friction that would have negative impacts.

"We get used to the extremist groups' threats. However, we call on the international community and the Israeli government to stop the unjustifiable violations," Abbas said.

Extremist Jewish groups, which vehemently oppose the Israeli disengagement plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank this summer, have threatened to attack the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest shrine for Muslims in the world, many times in a bid to derail the pullout plan.

Palestinian Islamic judges' chief Sheikh Tayseer Al-Tamimi warned Monday of the extremist attempts. "The Israeli government will be held responsible for any unpleasant reaction if the extremists' intentions to demolish the mosque are true," Al-Tamimi told Voice of Palestine radio.

Meanwhile, Islamic Jihad (Holy War) prominent leader Abdullah al-Shami also warned that the Muslims would never allow the Jews to desecrate Al-Aqsa Mosque or allow the extremist groups to storm it.

"If the Israeli police allow the extremist groups to storm Al- Aqsa Mosque, the Israeli government will break up the current calmness (truce) and will turn the whole situation upside down," he said.

Source: Xinhua