The Islamic institutions in Palestine’s Jerusalem warned Israel against the expansion of the Magharbeh Gate inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday.
The expansion was proposed by the Israeli government in response to calls by far-right extremists among Jewish settlers.
The joint statement was given by the Council of Endowments, Islamic Affairs and Holy Sanctuaries; the Supreme Islamic Council; the Palestinian Darul Ifta (Islamic rulings’ body); the Court of the Chief Justice in Jerusalem; the Islamic Endowment Department; and the Department of Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs.
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"The continuous provocative calls issued by the so-called Temple Mount groups to expand Magharbeh Gate are dangerous," the bodies said in a statement.
"The mosque and its compound — all of it — are at the core of Islamic beliefs held by Muslims all over the world and the settler groups proposed a plan to remove the sand hill and wooden bridge that connects Magharbeh Gate with Al-Buraq ("Western") Wall plaza, and replace them with a new bridge ornamented with (Jewish holy book) Torah verses,” the statement reads.
In April, 67 Palestinian Muslims were injured when the Israeli forces stormed inside the Al-aqsa mosque during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
“They have called for mass incursions at Al-Aqsa Mosque on 9 August to mark the destruction of the temple,” the statement said.
The Islamic institutions also warned against the increasing calls, incitement and proposals for the Judaisation of Al-Aqsa Mosque, noting that such calls and proposals are always followed by mass incursions by illegal settlers of the Islamic holy site.
No part of the Noble Sanctuary of Al-Aqsa is open to any form of division or partnership, they added.
