Fatah official foresees more clashes next week in Jerusalem

A Palestinian official foresees more violence next week as rightist Jews plans to enter the Noble Sanctuary which contains Al-Aqsa Mosque.

"This could lead to uncontrolled confrontations," said Jehad Abu Znaid, a leading member of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ' Fatah party. She considered the extremists' rally to what Israel calls Temple Mount "a Jewish provocation of Muslims' feelings."

The compound, which Muslims call al-Haram al-Sharif after their third holiest shrine, Al-Aqsa mosque, is also important for Israel since it believes ancient Jewish temples had stood there.

The Temple Institute, an Israeli organization aiming at building the third Jewish temple on the Noble Sanctuary, announced March 16 as the first International Temple Mount Awareness Day.

Yitzchak Reuven, a director at the institute, called on the Israeli government not to block his supporters' attempt to break into the compound in East Jerusalem, the part of the holy city which the Palestinians want as capital of their future statehood.

Reuven on Friday said in Yediot Aharonot, Israel's most-read newspaper, that "all who feel a connection to the place of the Holy Temple (should) join us as we ascend the Mount. The gathering is intended to be one of religious expression and is not political in nature."

Abu Zniad, the member of Fatah's Central Committee, said activities on March 16 indicate "real dangers surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque," accusing Israel of "seeking to annex the al-Haram al- Sharif, and preventing Palestinian people from their right of worshipping." She urged Arab and Muslim countries to "save Al-Aqsa Mosque."

Meanwhile, the Jerusalem-based Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage called on Arabs of Palestinian origins who still live in Israel "to intensify their ongoing presence in Al-Aqsa Mosque to protect it."

Sporadic clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protestors took place following Friday prayer in East Jerusalem despite the Israeli restrictions that allowed Muslims older than 50 years to enter the compound.

Last month, Israel announced it will add two West Bank shrines into its list of Jewish heritage sites, provoking more Palestinian protests across the occupied West Bank.

Source:Xinhua