The violence at Al Aqsa mosque, made worse by Israeli over-reaction to what was going on, had more to do with the continued illegal occupation of Palestinian territory than with any desecration of religious places.
Muslim clerics had called for a day of protest against the Israeli action of starting excavation and repair work as a prelude to a new walkway leading to the compound through a small gate known as the Mougrabi (Moors' Gate).
The Israelis have retained the key to this gate ever since they occupied Jerusalem in 1967, to allow Jews into the compound as the area plays an important part in Jewish religion as well.
Therefore, any matter connected with the Mougrabi and access to the compound becomes a sensitive religious and political issue, as well as one of interest to Muslim, Christian and Jewish archaeologists.
Israel claims it had given forewarning of its intention to start rebuilding the ramp to the Mougrabi, which is adamantly denied by Al Waqf (the religious authority entrusted with administering the whole compound).
But it is yet another reason why Muslim clerics seized upon the opportunity to protest. It is bad enough that the religious site should be subject to the whims and foibles of Israeli authorities as part of their continued occupation of land that does not belong to them, but to undertake building work that may cause damage to the compound, without prior discussion with Al Waqf, is totally unacceptable.
In the usual crass manner in which Israel handles such issues with the Palestinians, stun guns and flash grenades were brought to bear upon all Muslims there, whether they were protesting or were there because they merely wished to pray.
Israelis say the site is equally holy to them as it is to Muslims, yet their behaviour does not reflect such sanctimonious claims.
