- Title: Tensions run high over mosque metal detectors in Jerusalem
- Date: 24th July 2017
- Summary: JERUSALEM (RECENT) (REUTERS) ISRAELI SECURITY MEMBERS AT LIONS GATE IN THE OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM STREETS SIGNS TO LIONS' GATE AND AL-AQSA MOSQUE VARIOUS OF WORKERS SETTING METAL DETECTORS UP AT ENTRANCE TO THE AL-AQSA MOSQUE METAL DETECTOR RESIDENT, FATIMA KHADER, WALKING IN THE OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RESIDENT, FATIMA KHADER, SAYING: "First of all, we feel that it has gone under Israeli control, which is not the State of Israel, it is the occupier. Second, we feel that the electronic gates and this inspection is an injustice to the Palestinian people and Muslims. Third, it makes us fear that what happened to the Ibrahimi Mosque (in Hebron) will happen here. God forbid." WORSHIPPERS PRAYING OUTSIDE AL-AQSA MOSQUE KHADER PRAYING DIRECTOR OF THE ISLAMIC WAQF IN JERUSALEM, AZZAM AL-KHATIB, SPEAKING ON MOBILE PHONE AND WALKING ISRAELI SECURITY MEMBERS STANDING AT ENTRANCE TO AL-AQSA MOSQUE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DIRECTOR OF THE ISLAMIC WAQF IN JERUSALEM, AZZAM AL-KHATIB, SAYING: "How is this going to protect al-Aqsa mosque? Does protecting al-Aqsa mosque happen this way? This is not right, that is the first thing. Second, since 1967 until today, these gates were not set up and there were no problems at al-Aqsa mosque. But this is imposing a fait accompli. And why did they put it on the second day since the incident (the attack) that had happened, immediately? There were pervious plans to put up these cameras, these electric gates. There are things that have happened at al-Aqsa mosque for a long time, to change the history, the reality." VARIOUS OF WORKERS SETTING UP METAL DETECTORS AT ENTRANCE TO AL-AQSA MOSQUE ISRAELI POLICE CHECKING PEOPLE'S ID CARDS VARIOUS OF WORSHIPPERS PASSING THROUGH METAL DETECTORS INTO AL-AQSA MOSQUE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RESIDENT, SAMEER AL-RIWAIDI, SAYING: "Firstly, we are against the electric gates. Second, we will stay here until they remove the gates that they have put up. Even if we stay for a year, two years or ten, we will be against this, because this mosque is ours and this al-Aqsa is our al-Aqsa. It is impossible that we let them do whatever they want to us, they put up a gate, tomorrow they will put checkpoints in the middle of the way. If 2000, 3000 people want to come, to pray the noon prayers, we will have to come four hours earlier to stand in line like we do going to the Ministry of Interior Affairs." JERUSALEM (JULY 23, 2017) (REUTERS) ISRAELI CABINET MINISTER, OFIR AKUNIS, WALKING TO MEET JOURNALISTS SECURITY GUARD STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI CABINET MINISTER, OFIR AKUNIS, SAYING: "Why doesn't this question arise when there are metal detectors at the entrance of a mosque in Arab countries, in the Gulf countries? Why doesn't this question arise when there are metal detectors in every airport around the world? Do Muslims not go through the metal detectors? This consideration will have been based on security." JERUSALEM (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF AL-AQSA COMPOUND
- Embargoed: 7th August 2017 14:41
- Keywords: Al Aqsa Mosque Temple Mount compound metal detectors Jerusalem holy sites Old City's holy compound Palestinian worshippers Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
- Location: JERUSALEM
- City: JERUSALEM
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA0016R2R87P
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Jerusalem has been in the grip of the worst bloodshed for years over Israel's recent decision to install metal detectors at the entrances to the Old City's holy compound.
Three Palestinians have been shot dead by Israeli forces in clashes and a Palestinian man stabbed to death three members of an Israeli family in their home in a West bank settlement.
The detectors were put up at the entrances Muslims use to enter the compound each day for prayers.
Non-Muslims are allowed to visit the area as tourists and they enter through a separate gate where metal detectors have long been used.
The dispute over the detectors at al-Aqsa mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine, and the Temple Mount compound has touched on issues of sovereignty, religious freedom, occupation and Palestinian nationalism.
"We feel that the electronic gates and this inspection is an injustice to the Palestinian people and Muslims," said Jerusalem resident, Fatima Khader.
Khader fears that the security measures at al-Aqsa will lead to even heavier security measures and imposed shared worship, as has happened at the Ibrahimi Mosque in the West Bank City of Hebron, a biblical site holy to both Muslims and Jews, who call it the Cave of The Patriarchs.
Palestinians say they were not informed by the Israelis about the detectors. Israel says it informed Jordan, the custodian of the holy site.
Israel put the devices in place on July 16, two days after two Israeli policemen were shot and killed by Israeli-Arab attackers who had concealed weapons in the compound in the heart of the Old City.
Director of the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, Azzam Al-Khatib, said he doesn't believe the detectors were a sound security measure.
"How is this going to protect al-Aqsa mosque? Does protecting al-Aqsa mosque happen this way? This is not right, that is the first thing. Second, since 1967 until today, these gates were not set up and there were no problems at al-Aqsa mosque," he said.
Israel captured East Jerusalem, including the Old City, in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed them, a move not recognized internationally.
As a result, it is to this day seen by much of the world as an occupier, and the status of the area is regarded as disputed until resolved via negotiations.
Palestinians reject Israel's authority, its heavy security presence and the unilateral move on metal detectors.
"Firstly, we are against the electric gates. Second, we will stay here until they remove the gates that they have put up. Even if we stay for a year, two years or ten, we will be against this, because this mosque is ours and this al-Aqsa is our al-Aqsa," said Jerusalem resident Sameer Al-Riwaidi.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure internationally to back down and remove the metal detectors, but he has resisted those calls, saying security is paramount.
Israeli cabinet minister Ofir Akunis said that there are many metal detectors at key sites all around the world which provide much-needed security.
"Why doesn't this question arise when there are metal detectors at the entrance of a mosque in Arab countries, in the Gulf countries? Why doesn't this question arise when there are metal detectors in every airport around the world? Do Muslims not go through the metal detectors? This consideration will have been based on security," he said.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has now broken off security coordination with Israel, a significant move since Palestinian and Israeli forces work together daily on security in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Palestinians have limited self-rule. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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