Palestinians reject cameras at Al Haram Al Sharif

Ramallah: Jerusalemites have agreed that Israel is perpetuating its occupation with planned installation of cameras in Al Haram Al Sharif, but community leaders in the holy city have not yet agreed on any specific strategy to confront the Israeli designs.

Activists and community leaders in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday held a meeting to address the issue of cameras in Al Haram Al Sharif, but failed to come up with a way to protest Israeli moves at the sacred site.

Among the options discussed in the meeting, according to activists in the city, were total civil disobedience and days of rage and protests by which the entire holy city will be locked down, but leaders in attendance highlighted the role of the Palestinian factions and insisted that parties should themselves organise the protest measures.

“There have been serious divisions between the activists and community leaders in occupied East Jerusalem regarding the installation of cameras in Al Haram Al Sharif,” said the sources who requested anonymity. “Leaders in attendance have not reached a compromise in protesting against Israeli measures.”

The Jerusalem activists and leaders said the attitude of Jordan and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has made Israel look victorious despite its earlier critical situation.

“A lifeline was offered to Israel through the video monitoring agreement,” said the activists. “Palestinians have accomplished nothing out of the weeks of violence and huge sacrifices.”

Jerusalemites have categorically rejected the camera installation in Al Haram Al Sharif arguing that those cameras violate the privacy of the worshippers. “Privacy is essential and sacred for worshippers and its absence means no proper worshipping in the first place.”

Giving Israel the official consent to install cameras in Al Haram Al Sharif automatically means that the Israeli regime becomes a central partner in administrating and running all the affairs the holy shrine, the activists stress.

“An Israeli dream has undoubtedly come true,” said the activists, adding that apart from this unprecedented Israeli accomplishment, the time division of the holy shrine has become an undeniable reality. “Pure political, not religious visits of the Jews to the holy shrine have been totally secured,” said the activists. “The role of the Waqf Department will be basically subordinated and Israel will be fully in charge.”

Activists said matters in occupied East Jerusalem have deteriorated and are worse than ever. “Relative calm prevails in the holy city, but nobody can predict what happens next,” said the activists. “We have badly lost and Israel has apparently won it all.”

Activists said they had taken up this issue with the Waqf Department which administers the holy shrine on behalf of Jordan. “The Waqf Department is neither happy nor satisfied with the deal with Israel,” said the activists. Technicians hired by the Waqf Department to install cameras in Al Haram Al Sharif were stopped and ordered to leave by the Israeli Police. “The Waqf Department tried to overcome the agreement but it was crippled.”