Ramallah: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan have banned Israeli lawmakers and political leaders from visiting Al Haram Al Sharif of occupied East Jerusalem until further notice.
The Israeli move was taken after days of violence and confrontations between Palestinian worshippers and the occupation forces who secure daily incursions of the Israeli colonists into the holy site, violating agreements that the holy shrine would be closed to Jewish visitors and foreign tourists during the last ten days of Ramadan.
The Israeli daily, the Haaretz, reported on Wednesday that following consultations between Netanyahu and Erdan and with recommendations from the Israeli police, both Netanyahu and Erdan decided to indefinitely prevent Israel lawmakers from visiting Al Haram Al Sharif. Erdan has already updated Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein on his decision.
Palestinian worshippers have defended Al Haram Al Sharif for 10 days in a row, throwing rocks at Jewish colonists raiding the Muslim holy site. Dozens of Palestinians were injured following clashes and dozens more arrested by Israeli forces.
In light of the tension, Israel says Jewish colonists and tourists will not be allowed to enter the site for three days until they can boost their police presence with extra forces.
Ongoing incursions by Jews on Al Haram Al Sharif premises have been the largest instigator of violence since last year. Palestinians say the Israeli regime is encouraging its citizens to violate the status quo agreement in an effort to change the facts on the ground and erase all Palestinian and Muslim identity from occupied Jerusalem.
Al Haram Al Sharif is built on top of the ancient remnants of the Temple Mount, a site sacred in Judaism, but was destroyed in the 4th century by the Romans, during their rule.
Al Haram Al Sharif site houses both Al Aqsa Mosque which was originally commissioned to be built under Omar, the second Caliph in Islam in the 7th century, and the Dome of the Rock which houses the rock from which Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) ascended to heaven, according to Islamic teachings.
