Israelis attack protesting palestinians in al-Aqsa

Israelis attack protesting palestinians in al-Aqsa
Sun Mar 16, 2014 16:36:39

Israeli forces have attacked protesting Palestinian youths at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in al-Quds (Jerusalem) with stun grenades, injuring one of the protesters.

The Sunday incident occurred when dozens of young Palestinians waged a protest at the compound against the persisting occupation of al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli soldiers and settlers.

In reaction to the Israeli attack, the protesters hurled stones and fireworks at the troops.

In recent months, Israeli forces and extremist settlers have stepped up their assaults on Palestinians visiting the holy mosque. This has led to violent confrontations between the two sides.

The Israeli regime has also imposed severe restrictions to prevent Muslim worshippers from entering and praying at the mosque.

On February 25, Knesset (Israeli parliament) discussed a plan to annex the site, but the debate did not result in a vote or any practical measures.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has condemned the Knesset debate as a “dangerous escalation,” calling it part of Israel’s goal to “Judaize Jerusalem.”

The Palestinian Authority and the resistance movement Hamas have also warned against Israeli plans to impose “sovereignty” on the mosque.

Over the past decades, the Israeli regime has tried to change demographic makeup of al-Quds by constructing illegal settlements, destroying historical sites, and expelling the local Palestinian population.

The al-Aqsa compound, which lies in the Israeli-occupied Old City of al-Quds and is known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism. It is Islam’s third-holiest site after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

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