Arabs should stand up for their rights

At a time when the Al Aqsa mosque compound has become a site of continuous confrontations between Israeli police and Palestinians, it is difficult not to ask what the Arab and Muslim position on the continuing Israeli transgressions is. Where is the Arab League response and why hasn't there been a strong reaction from the rest of the international community?

A place as holy for Muslims as Al Aqsa has been cordoned off by Israeli police and yet there is nothing but silence. It comes down to a few courageous Palestinian worshippers fighting for their rights against an arrogant group of occupiers, whose actions are aimed at provocation.

For the second time in a month, Israeli police have entered the Haram Al Sharif compound. According to Palestinian officials, Israeli police closed off the compound to visitors, leaving hundreds of worshippers trapped inside and arresting dozens outside.

So Israel is now controlling who gets to enter this compound (barring Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza, of course, who aren't allowed access), which is considered Islam's third holiest site. But beyond that, the occupation has been investing heavily in increasing its military presence in Occupied East Jerusalem. So far, it has continued with its illegal colony construction and expansion in the area. Its illegal separation wall has carved up more Palestinian land and, of course, its policy of conducting home demolitions has left many Palestinian families displaced and homeless in their own land.

And while international media focuses on Palestinian reconciliation talks or even, to a lesser extent, the Goldstone report, Israel is going ahead with its plans to Judaise Occupied East Jerusalem. It is no accident that Israel continuously refuses to discuss the fate of the city in any meaningful negotiations, always insisting Jerusalem be "pushed to later stages" of talks.

Palestinian leadership and Arab governments should wake up to this reality and Israel must be confronted. No one can afford to allow Israel's acts of provocation to prevail.